Tritons Fall to Alaska Anchorage in Disney Classic Finale, 67-52

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Casey Robinson and Brandon Walker scored 17 points apiece to lead Alaska Anchorage to a 67-52 victory over UC San Diego on the final day of the Disney West Coast Tip Off Classic on Sunday afternoon at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Despite the loss, UCSD wrapped up the tournament with a 2-1 record and won the Disney Classic title by virtue of its 70-59 victory over Lewis University on Friday. The Flyers also finished with a 2-1 mark after defeating Dixie State 61-51 in the early game on Sunday and took second place.

Alaska Anchorage finished fourth in the four-team event, bouncing back to defeat the Tritons after losing its first two games in Anaheim.

Robinson finished 5-of-11 from the field, while Walker converted 6-of-10 shots for the Seawolves, who shot just 49% (20-41) as a team. A total of four players reached double figures for UAA, with Taylor Rohde scoring 12 points and Travis Thompson chipping in with 11.

Freshman point guard James McCann had a big game for UCSD, scoring 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, including 3-of-6 from the three-point line.

Senior guard Casey Ryan earned a spot on the Disney Classic All-Tournament Team after finishing with eight points and three rebounds, while junior center Christian Hatch tallied six points and five boards and took home tournament MVP honors.

Hatch averaged 14.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in UCSD’s three games over the weekend, while Ryan averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

The Tritons shot 40% (18-45) from the field on Sunday and converted 12-of-14 shots at the free throw line, 86%. UCSD outscored UAA 20-12 in the paint, but the Seawolves were plus-15 on threes, converting 9-of-18 from behind the arc.

Anchorage jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, as UCSD missed six of its first seven shots to open the game. The Seawolves took their biggest advantage of the half at 28-19 following a layup by Rohde, but Hatch answered with a jumper and McCann hit his second triple to bring the Tritons to within 28-24 at the break.

UAA then outscored UCSD 11-2 to open the second period, with Walker and Robinson combining to hit three consecutive triples. The Tritons came roaring back once again, however, scoring eight unanswered points to close to within 39-34 with just under 15 minutes remaining.

That would be as close as UCSD would get though, as UAA answered with a 13-6 run over the next 10 minutes to take a 52-40 advantage with five minutes left to play. The Seawolves would push the lead to 18 (64-46) before settling for the final 67-52 margin.

The Tritons will now host Academy of Art in their regular season home opener on Sunday, November 21 at RIMAC Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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