HENDERSON, Nev. — Defending champion and No. 2 seed UC San Diego is in position to make a repeat after downing third-seeded UC Davis, 84-79, in the semifinal round of the 2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Women's Basketball Championship.

The Tritons now advance to take on Hawai'i in the Championship final from Henderson, putting an unblemished 4-0 mark on the line at the court at Lee's Family Forum. UCSD won both contests against the Rainbow Wahine this season, but UH is red-hot, entering Saturday riding a 10 game winning streak. 

UCSD's Sabrina Ma led the team with 21 points, making an impressive 7-of-15 field goal attemps, including four triples and adding a pair of steals. Big West Best Defensive Player Makayla Rose also made a significant impact, scoring 19 points with six rebounds. Dymonique Maxie added 14 points with an efficient 5-of-7 shooting effort and six boards and Erin Condron assisted on six plays in the win. 

The Aggies jumped out to an 11-2 run in the game with Megan Norris, Ryann Bennett and Nya Epps all getting in on the action. UCSD regrouped to knot the game at 15 and a 7-2 Tritons' run finished out the frame. UC San Diego maintained the lead in the second quarter, connecting on four triples to hold a 42-35 lead at the break.

UCSD opened the third quarter with a strong run to grow the lead to double figures but a seven-point spurt for the Aggies capped by an Epps layup for the Aggies reduced the deficit to four points with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter. UC Davis made it a one-possession game with the score at 63-60 with 7:25 on the clock but would get no closer as the Tritons leveraged the fast break and free throw line to close out with the win. 

UC Davis was paced by 27 points for Avery Sussex and a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double for the senior Epps. Norris also closed the collegiate chapter with a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the contest. 

UC Davis leaves Henderson with a 23-10 record on the season.