SACRAMENTO -- UC San Diego used a 15-0 run late in the second half to take control of a game that had been close throughout, and the Tritons defeated Sacramento State, 71-56, on Saturday evening at the Nest.

No team led by more than five points the first 30 minutes of the contest. However, the Tritons went on a 15-0 run that erased a one-point deficit and put UCSD up, 58-44, with 6:39 to play. That run proved to be the dagger as Sacramento State could not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

The Hornets were badly beaten at the free throw line where UC San Diego shot 82% (23-28) while the Hornets were just 9-for-16 (56%). In addition, Sacramento State shot 37% from the field, including 3-for-17 from the 3-point line. The Hornets did score 17 points off 16 UCSD turnovers, but it was not nearly enough against a Triton team that moved its record to 4-0.

Sacramento State went into halftime with a 29-27 lead, but were outscored in the second half by a 44-27 margin. Of those 44 second-half points, 16 came from the free throw line.

The Tritons, a member of the Big West Conference, have now defeated the Hornets, Cal, George Washington and San Diego Christian by double figures. After spending 20 years as an NCAA Div. II program, UC San Diego is in its second year of Div. I play. The Hornets and Tritons were facing each other for just the second time ever, and first time in nearly 47 years.

Sacramento State, which was coming off a one-point road win at Cal Poly, dropped to 2-2. The Hornets, who usually play well at home, are still 83-39 at the Nest dating back to 2012.

Hornet swingman Bryce Fowler has led the Hornets in scoring in all four games after notching a season-high tying 17 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. He shot 7-for-14 from the field, and buried two of the team's three 3-pointers. Joining him in double figures was guard Zach Chappell who had 16 points, six rebounds, three steals and a block. However, Chappell was limited to 6-for-19 shooting from the field.

Center Jonathan Komagum played 25 active minutes, tallying seven points, eight rebounds, a pair of assists and a blocked shot. Forward Cameron Wilbon added eight points and two steals, and guard Deshaun Highler six points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. The only other Hornet to crack the scoring column was Teiano Hardee who had two points, three rebounds and two steals.

For UCSD, four players combined to score all but four of the team's points - Toni Rocak  (23), Bryce Pope (17), Jace Roquemore (14) and Francis Nwaokorie (13).

Sacramento State will now turn its attention to the annual Causeway rivalry matchup with UC Davis at the Golden 1 Center on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. That game is part of a doubleheader that will see the Sacramento State women's team taking on UC Davis at 5 p.m. For tickets to the doubleheader, please click here.