SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — Rubi Gray scored 24 points and Sacramento State used a dominant second-quarter run to seize control, defeating UC San Diego 71-60 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at RIMAC Arena.

The Hornets, who improved to 3-1, broke open a tight contest by outscoring the Tritons 25-9 in the second period. That surge turned a 10-10 tie after the first quarter into a 35-19 halftime lead for the visitors. UC San Diego, which fell to 1-2, could not recover from the deficit despite a more competitive second half.

Gray, a guard from Devonport, Australia, was the game’s leading scorer, adding four rebounds and three blocks in 38 minutes of action. Her backcourt partner, Natalie Picton of Welland, Canada, provided crucial support with 13 points while playing the entire 40 minutes.

The Hornets’ offense was efficient when it counted, posting an offensive rating of 96.0 points per 100 possessions compared to the Tritons’ 76.0. Sacramento State’s defense was also a key factor, forcing 19 UC San Diego turnovers and converting them into 23 points. The Hornets also controlled the interior, outscoring the Tritons 32-14 in the paint and dominating the offensive glass with 15 rebounds.

Lev Feiman led the scoring effort for UC San Diego with 15 points. Sabrina Ma added 13 points and five rebounds for the Tritons, while Erin Condron of Woodend, Australia, filled the stat sheet with seven points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

After Sacramento State built its large halftime lead, the Tritons mounted a challenge in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 21-12 to narrow the gap to 47-40 heading into the final period. The Hornets, however, responded by pouring in 24 points in the fourth quarter to secure the road victory.

Benthe Versteeg, a guard from Amsterdam, Netherlands, orchestrated the Sacramento State offense with a game-high six assists to go along with seven points and seven rebounds. Fatoumata Jaiteh of Lynnwood, Washington, was a force inside, just missing a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 341. Sacramento State next travels to face Long Beach State on Saturday. UC San Diego will look to rebound on the road at San Francisco this Sunday.