SAN DIEGO — For 40 minutes Saturday afternoon at LionTree Arena, the intensity reflected more than just a late-season matchup.

UC San Diego (18-8, 13-3 Big West) dropped a narrow 70–68 decision to UC Irvine (23-4, 14-2 BW) in a game that carried significant conference implications, as the Tritons now sit third in the Big West standings following the loss.

The matchup felt like a postseason preview. both teams entered the game at 13–2 in conference play, and the game delivered on that billing. There were five lead changes and three ties, with neither side able to create separation until the final possessions.

Makayla Rose led the Tritons with 16 points, continuing her steady offensive presence. Erin Condron added 14 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double effort inside, while Lev Feiman provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, including a late three-pointer that cut the deficit to two in the closing seconds.

Statistically, UC San Diego did enough in several areas to win. The Tritons shot 41% from the field compared to Irvine’s 37.3%  and dominated in transition, outscoring the Anteaters 22–6 in fast-break points.

But the difference came at the free-throw line.

UC Irvine attempted 35 free throws and converted 29, while UC San Diego attempted just 14, making 12. In a two-point game, that disparity proved decisive.

UC San Diego opened strong, outscoring Irvine 24–17 in the first quarter, but momentum shifted after halftime. The Anteaters’ 20-point third quarter tightened the contest and set up a tense fourth frame.

With 1:25 remaining, Condron tied the game at 63 on a fast-break layup, momentarily swinging energy back to the Tritons. But Irvine answered with late free throws and defensive stops to secure the 70–68 win. 

Saturday’s result reshapes the conference picture.

Instead of protecting the top spot, UC San Diego now finds itself in third place in a tightly contested Big West race. The margin between the top teams is thin, and head-to-head matchups like this one could factor heavily into seeding for the Big West Championship.

The encouraging sign for the Tritons is that this wasn’t a collapse. It was a razor-thin loss defined largely by free-throw volume. They matched Irvine’s physicality, controlled transition play and shot efficiently from the field.

The concern is equally clear: in games between top-tier conference opponents, small details such as foul discipline, late-game execution and trips to the line become magnified.

With the postseason approaching, the Tritons no longer control the top of the standings. But they remain firmly in contention.

And if this matchup is any indication, a potential rematch in March could look just as tight.