A man dribbles the ball on a basketball court with three defenders looming to his right.
UCSD’s win streak continued on the road. (Photo courtesy of Cal State Bakersfield Athletics)

Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones had 20 points in UC San Diego’s key 73-54 win against Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday.

The Tritons (21-4, 11-2 Big West) extended their winning streak to six games in a victory that clinched a spot for UCSD in the Big West Championship next month in Henderson, Nev.

It’s also a week in which UCSD moved up three spots to No. 4 in the Mid-Major Top 25 college basketball poll. The Tritons once again received one first place vote. The ranking sets a new high-water mark for the program in the poll.

Tait-Jones shot 7 of 10 from the field, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 6 from the line while surpassing 2,000 career points scored on his college career.

Hayden Gray added 12 points and went 3 for 4 from beyond the arc while they also had seven rebounds. Cade Pendleton had 12 points and finished 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Chris recorded two steals alongside three assists.

UCSD hit 16 three-pointers for the second straight game.

“Bakersfield was doing a good job taking away the paint and we just took what was available and guys knocked down shots with confidence,” said associate head coach Clint Allard. 

The Roadrunners (10-16, 4-10) were led by Jemel Jones, who recorded 29 points, as his team dropped their sixth straight.

UCSD hosts UC Davis at X Saturday.