Tritons at UCSB

Today/Saturday:

Records:

UCSD 2-1, 0-0 Big West; UCSB 6-3, 2-2

Streaming: 5 p.m., Thunderdome

ESPN3

Tritons update: At long last, UC San Diego plays its first official Big West game — sort of. During their four-year reclassification to Division I, the Tritons will not be included in the conference standings, but they will be scheduled for a full slate of games. Earlier contests this year against Cal Poly (Jan. 1-2) and CSUN (Jan. 8-9) were canceled. UCSD did play Big West member UC Irvine last week but that was considered a nonconference game. The Tritons led for the first 25 minutes but eventually fell 79-65. Guard Bryce Pope (21 points) and forward Toni Rocak (20) scored 41 of the 65 points. UCSD’s two wins came against NAIA St. Katherine.

Gauchos update: UCSB also lost to UC Irvine — twice. The first game was a rout (75-56) but the Gauchos came back the next day and lost by four (73-69). UCSB then hosted two games against Cal State Fullerton on New Year’s weekend and won both, 81-63 and 65-61. Senior guard JaQuori McLaughlin was selected Big West Player of the Week after getting 32 points, 16 assists and seven steals in the two games. McLaughlin leads UCSB in scoring (16.9), assists (5.7) and free throw percentage (.880). Well-traveled junior forward Miles Norris, who is with his sixth school in the last seven years, starting with Mater Dei Catholic and Helix High, is averaging 9.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. After his junior year at Helix, Norris went to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire before playing one season each for Oregon and City College of San Francisco.