Sugapong Earns Big West Player of the Week Honors
Triton Star Sugapong Earns Big West Player of teh Week honors
LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego women’s basketball guard Sumayah Sugapong has been named Big West Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday. This marks the second time Sugapong has received the honor, previously earning it as a freshman in December 2023.
Sugapong’s standout performance came in a thrilling matchup against Stanford on Friday. The sophomore guard set a new UC San Diego Division I single-game record with seven steals, helping the Tritons force a season-high 25 turnovers from the Cardinal. This marked the most turnovers Stanford has committed in nearly a decade.
“Sumayah’s performance against Stanford was truly exceptional,” said UC San Diego Head Coach heidi VanDerveer. “her defensive intensity was contagious, and her ability to create turnovers and score in transition was a key factor in our success.”
Sugapong’s impact went beyond steals. The san Diego native poured in a season-best 21 points, just four shy of her career high, while also leading the Tritons in rebounds (6), assists (3), and steals.
Sugapong’s dominance was notably evident in the second half. She scored 17 of her 21 points after halftime, adding six steals to fuel a Triton surge. UC San Diego outscored Stanford 14-5 in points off turnovers during the second half,ultimately securing a crucial victory.
this weekly award is the fifth for the Tritons since joining the Big West Conference in 2020-21.
Sugapong and the Tritons return to LionTree Arena this week to open Big West play against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday at 7 p.m.
UC San Diego’s Sugapong Named Big West Player of the Week After Stellar Performance Against Stanford
San Diego, California – UC San Diego sophomore guard Sumayah Sugapong has been named Big West Player of the Week for the second time in her collegiate career.
Sugapong’s dominant performance came in a thrilling upset victory over nationally ranked Stanford on Friday. The San Diego native set a new UC San Diego Division I single-game record with seven steals, fueling a suffocating Triton defense that forced a season-high 25 turnovers from the Cardinal – the most turnovers Stanford has committed in nearly a decade.
“Sumayah’s performance against Stanford was truly exceptional,” said UC San Diego head Coach Heidi VanDerveer. “Her defensive intensity was contagious, and her ability to create turnovers and score in transition was a key factor in our success.”
Sugapong’s impact went beyond defense. She led the Tritons in scoring with a season-best 21 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out three assists. Her dominance was notably evident in the second half, where she scored 17 of her 21 points and added six steals to spark a Triton surge. UC San diego capitalized on Stanford’s turnovers, outscoring them 14-5 in points off turnovers during the second half en route to a crucial victory.
This is the fifth Big West Player of the Week award for a Triton since UC San diego joined the conference in 2020-21, highlighting the program’s continued ascent. Sugapong and the Tritons will return to LionTree Arena this week to open Big West play against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday at 7 p.m.