Nov 2, 2011; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Chiney Ogwumike (13) and UC San Diego Tritons center Lauren Freidenber (25) battle for the rebound during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dayton, Ohio – Soniyah Reed’s explosive 24-point performance, including 19 points off the bench in the first half, propelled 16th-seeded Southern University to a 68-56 victory over UC San Diego in the NCAA Tournament First Four on Wednesday night. This win marks Southern’s first tournament victory in seven appearances.
Reed, who averaged under 11 points per game during the season, shot an impressive 8-of-10 from the field, including three 3-pointers. Aniya Gourdine contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, while Tionna Lidge added 12 points. Southern shot a collective 49% from the field.
UC San Diego’s Sumayah Sugapong led her team with 19 points and six assists, and Parker Montgomery scored 15, hitting four 3-pointers. However, the Tritons struggled, shooting only 34% overall.
Southern established a dominant lead in the first half, fueled by Reed’s scoring surge and Gourdine’s contributions. Despite a strong third-quarter push from UCSD, where Montgomery and Sugapong combined for 20 points to cut the deficit to nine, Southern held on for the win. Late-game 3-pointers from Sabrina Ma and a bucket from Junae Mahan brought UCSD within six, but Southern sealed the victory with free throws.
Southern (21-14) advances to face overall No. 1 seed UCLA in the round of 64 on Friday. UC San Diego (20-16), making its tournament debut, ends its season.
