The UCSB women’s basketball team grinded out another defensive-minded victory on Wednesday night, making it sixth straight after a 67-61 non-conference decision over Portland State at the Thunderdome.
Portland State was shut off at the source as Claire Faucher, last year’s NCAA assist leader who averages over six a game this season, didn’t record a single assist for the Vikings, who are undefeated in the Big Sky Conference. As a team, PSU recorded a meager three assists for the entire game.
“She’s fantastic. I watch her on film – the kid is really, really good and I thought we did a job on her,” said UCSB head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, whose Gauchos improve to 9-6 on the season and return to Big West play Saturday against Cal Poly.
Trailing by two points at 48-50 with eight minutes remaining, the Gauchos stepped up the pressure and proceeded to score 12-straight points to create some breathing room. The Vikings were held to just 11 points the rest of the way – seven of those came in the final minute with UCSB in control.
Seniors Jenna Green and Lauren Pederson stepped it up in the second half as the Gauchos tried to avoid their second home loss of the season. Green scored 10 of her 11 points and Pederson turned her 2-point halftime output into a 12 point, six rebound, six assist night.
“Regardless of who we had in there, we always talk about whichever five people we throw out there, our defense is always going to be what’s going to win us games,” Green said about the second-half surge.
Up until Wednesday’s game, the Gauchos hadn’t allowed an opponent to shoot more than 32 percent from the field. UCSB lightened up a touch on Portland, but still bothered the Vikings into a unreliable 36.7-percent night.
Jordan Franey and Whitney Warren shared game-high honors with 13 points each. Franey was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and Warren added eight rebounds and three steals to her point total.
UCSB avenged a 73-58 defeat last year at Portland State and the two schools have now played three years in a row with the Gauchos winning two of three.
