HENDERSON, Nev. -- The UC San Diego Tritons made history on March 16, 2025, by winning the Big West Men\u2019s Basketball Championship against UC Irvine, claiming the title with a decisive 75-61 victory. This monumental win marks not only their first Big West championship but also secures their inaugural berth in the NCAA Tournament during their first year of Division I eligibility after moving up from Division II five years ago.
The Tritons, who finished the season with an impressive record of 30-4, showcased their resilience by pulling away from the Anteaters with remarkable second-half performance. Despite trailing 33-31 at halftime, UC San Diego outscored UC Irvine 44-28 in the latter half to clinch the game. The Tritons executed their strategy excellently, shooting 55.6 percent from the field (15-of-27) and achieving 42.9 percent from three-point range (6-of-14) during the second half.
Hayden Gray, who played a pivotal role, scored 22 points and led his team with stellar shooting, converting 8 of his 10 attempts from the field, including 6 of 7 from beyond the arc. \u201cI just felt like I was in a rhythm out there, stepping up to my shots and my teammates were looking for me,\u201d Gray said after the game.
Another standout, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, was named Tournament MVP as he recorded 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. During the game, he demonstrated skillful playmaking and defensive prowess. Teammates Tyler McGhie and Nordin Kapic also contributed significantly, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Kapic sinking two key three-pointers in the closing minutes of the match.
For UC Irvine, who ended their season with a 28-6 record, Justin Hohn led the scoring with 18 points, but struggled to find his rhythm, shooting only 4 of 14 from three. Devin Tillis and Bent Leuchten added 12 and 10 points, respectively, but the two combined could not carry the Anteaters to victory.
The championship marked the third time ever a school has won both the men’s and women’s Big West titles, joining the ranks of institutions such as UC Santa Barbara and UNLV who achieved similar feats. This year, UC San Diego's women's team had also claimed their championship earlier the same day.
The Tritons’ road to the championship has been nothing short of impressive, with the team having moved up to Division I only after spending decades competing as a Division II school. Under head coach Eric Olen, UC San Diego transitioned through the ranks, leading to back-to-back conference titles and strong postseason runs, culminating with this historic win.
Olen praised his players' determination and the evolved dynamic of the team, stating, \u201cWe’ve always tried to do more with less. If you don’t have certain things, then you’ve got to find a different way to do it. This team has truly embodied what it means to fight for every win.\u201d
Many analysts, like CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, see the Tritons as potential Sweet 16 contenders due to their disciplined play and ability to adapt mid-game. \u201cYou don’t just win 30 games by accident,\u201d noted Norlander, anticipating their upcoming performance on the national stage.
Looking forward to Selection Sunday on March 17, expectations are high for the Tritons as they prepare for their matchup against likely higher-seeded competition. Despite the challenges they may face against seasoned opponents, the Tritons stand ready, backed by the confidence they’ve built through this historic season.
UC San Diego has become the embodiment of resilience and hard work, establishing as one of college basketball’s great stories this season. The unique combination of strategic gameplay, impressive individual talent, and strong team chemistry has led them to the forefront of the sport, and the world will now watch as they take their first bold steps onto the March Madness stage.