UCSD Tournament : UCSD Beats Undefeated Clark, 99-93

UC San Diego rallied from a 10-point deficit midway through the first half Saturday night to beat previously undefeated Clark University, 99-93, and win the men’s division of the La Jolla basketball tournament.

Brian Backens, the tournament’s most valuable player, scored 27 points and teammate Greg Kamansky scored 25 to lead UCSD, which had five scorers in double figures. The host Tritons (9-5) clung to a two-point lead until the game’s final 25 seconds. Clark (8-1), from Worcester, Mass., was led by Kermit Sharp’s 19 points.

Carnegie-Mellon University of Pittsburgh won the men’s consolation game with a 68-64 victory over the University of Rochester.

The women’s tournament final also featured Clark and UCSD, but with a far different outcome as Clark had a 26-13 lead at the half and eventually won, 50-41.

Clark (8-1) was paced by Tara McGuire’s 23 points. Marina Giolas, the tournament’s most valuable player, had 15 rebounds for Clark. The Tritons (6-5), who made fewer than 18% of their shots from the floor in the first half, were led by Beth Copeland with 12 points.

In the women’s consolation game, Rochester beat Carnegie-Mellon, 61-55.