In Erin Condron, UC San Diego has one of the top weapons in Big West Conference women’s basketball.
And the Tritons know how to use the 6-foot-4 junior post from Australia, not that they needed her on New Year’s afternoon in a wire-to-wire 75-54 victory over Cal Poly at LionTree Arena.
Condron scored 14 points with a team-leading six rebounds. But she played only 18 minutes and sat out the entire fourth quarter as the Tritons improved to 7-5 overall and 2-0 in defense of their 2024-25 Big West title.
Guards Rosa Smith (21 points, eight assists, three steals and five rebounds) and Sabrina Ma (12 points, two blocked shots and four rebounds) were the statistical leaders in what was an all-around, defense-paced effort.
All 10 active Tritons scored. Plus, the hosts turned 16 Mustangs turnovers into a 21-3 edge in points off turnovers and a 20-6 edge in fast-break points as part of an all-around defensive effort.
“A lot of our strength comes from our defense being locked in right away, like it was today,” Smith said after the Tritons held Cal Poly (2-11, 0-3) to seven first-quarter points.
Big West scoring leader Vanessa McManus had only five of her 17 points at halftime as UCSD jumped out to a 34-19 lead.
“We did get off to a fast start today,” said UCSD head coach Heidi VanDerveer. “The starting five knows they have to set the tone for us. We had a great effort. A lot of that has to do with the defensive scheme and philosophy. We’re connected and disciplined defensively.
“We have great movement and energy on defense. The scheme is about being connected as a unit and communicating.”
The very mobile UCSD defense produces ample transition opportunities. But when the Tritons slow into a half-court offense, the ball moves through Condron, who was a preseason all-Big West selection and is already a two-time Player of the Week.
Condron’s teammates happily get the ball in the hands of a shooter hitting 55.6% of her shots while rebounding many of her misses. She is averaging 14.1 points and 8.3 rebounds a game.
Her time on the court Thursday was limited by two things: She sat out the rest of the first half after drawing a second foul 70 seconds into the second quarter. Then she got hit in the back at the end of the third quarter.
“We have an in-and-out type of game on offense,” said Condron. “I have incredible teammates, the way they are able to get me the ball. We trust each other. I get them the ball, too.”
“Erin is huge for us,” said Smith, whose role with the Tritons is expanding.
UCSD is not a complete team. “Rebounds are the big issue for us,” said Condron.
And the Tritons haven’t been 100% for a long time. Although prized freshman Lev Freiman has returned, talented and relentless junior guard Gracie Gallegos hasn’t played since the season opener. “We’re hoping to get her back soon,” said VanDerveer.