Alan Williams posted his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds and in the process broke UC Santa Barbara’s career record for rebounds as the Gauchos (4-3) rolled past visiting Seattle (3-4) on Thursday night, 87-46.
Williams finished the game with 910 career rebounds, six more than the previous record holder, Eric McArthur (1986-90), who had 904.
“It’s an honor to break the record of a great player,” Williams said. “Anytime you can break a record that was around for so long, it’s pretty cool.”
“Alan is a great player and just as good a kid,” said head coach Bob Williams. “Nothing that he does surprises me. Anytime you coach a player who becomes the school’s all-time leader in rebounds, points, or whatever, it’s a big deal. I’m honored to have the opportunity to coach someone like Alan.”
Freshman guard Gabe Vincent made his return after missing four games with an infected blister on his right foot. Vincent made the most of his return by making 3-of-5 shots from three-point territory and finishing with 11 points.
“It was good to have Gabe back,” said Coach Williams. “You can really see what we were missing in Alaska with how he played tonight. He hadn’t played in a game in two weeks and he goes out and gives us 11 points and three assists, that’s impressive.”
The Gauchos piled-up a 42-19 halftime lead and didn’t back off in the second half, outscoring the Redhawks 45-27.
“That’s what I was happiest about,” Coach Williams said. “We came out in the second half and didn’t back off at all. This was about as close as we can get to playing a complete game.”
UCSB shot 59.0% for the game while limiting Seattle to a mere 32.1%. It was the fifth consecutive time that an opponent shot below 35.0% for the game. In addition, the Gauchos made a sizzling 12-of-22 from outside the three-point arc (54.5%), had 23 assists and a season-low seven turnovers. Amazingly, they were able to crush the Redhawks while only attempting three free throws, all of which they made.
Michael Bryson added 14 points and John Green tallied 11 to give Santa Barbara four players in double-figures. Reserve guard Hunter Ford even got into the act making all three of his three-point baskes to finish with nine points.
Seattle was led by Isiah Umipig who finished with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Umipig, one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the nation, hit 2-of-3 but his team was just 5-of-20 overall, 25.0%.
UCSB will travel to Dallas on Monday to play SMU. The Mustangs began the season ranked No. 22. The game will tip-off at 5:05 p.m. (PST) and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
