Johnson’s career-high leads Gauchos to first win
SAN DIEGO — Behind a career-high 29 points from Emilie Johnson, a double-double from Mekia Valentine and a crucial five-point play late in the game, the UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball team defeated San Diego 75-65 on Sunday afternoon at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, snapping a four-game losing streak.
UCSB improves to 1-4 on the season while San Diego falls to 3-4.
With the game tied at 56-apiece with 3:14 left in the game, Emilie Johnson hit a long three-pointer as Jordan Franey was fouled setting a screen to free up Johnson. The three-pointer counted and Franey sank both free throws as UCSB then knocked down 10 consecutive free throws in the final minutes for the victory.
“It’s kind of telling we talked about doing the things that makes winning basketball teams and one of those things is screening,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “Jordan set a great screen and Emilie calmly knocked down the three and Jordan sometimes likes being on the floor as much as making baskets.”
As a team UCB shot 48% while hitting 7 of 13 from downtown. The seven three-pointers matched the Gauchos’ entire output for the season.
After being held to eight points and zero rebounds in the first half, Mekia Valentine broke out in the second half, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Dominique Conners scored a career-high 30 points for San Diego.
The Gauchos led by as many as 11 points in the first half as the team shot 53.8% in the first stanza, however after holding San Diego’s offense in check for most of the half, the Toreros came alive. San Diego hit 4 of 9 three-pointers in the first half to claw back into the game.
Jordan Franey’s buzzer-beater from 19 feet allowed the Gauchos to take a 37-34 halftime lead.
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