The seniors of the UCSB women’s basketball team graced the Thunderdome with their presence for the final time Sunday afternoon, making sure to end the home season victorious with a 56-48 win over CSU Northridge.
“This group of seniors… I love them, I appreciate them,” explained coach Lindsay Gottlieb in reference to her five graduating players, Whitney Warren, Jenna Green, Kat Suderman, Sha’Rae Gibbons, and Lauren Pedersen.
Green proved that although the reliability of her game is consistent, the predictability of her game is not. Not only did she deliver her usual high numbers — 20 points, six rebounds, eight for nine at the line — she made the game enjoyable, going for a three at the end and even trying point guard on for size.
“She didn’t turn it over!” commented an impressed Whitney Warren of her teammate’s attempt at breaking the press in the second half.
“She’s saving all her tricks! She’s got things in her back pocket she’s never shown us. She’s bringing out one every game,” said senior Lauren Pedersen.
“They’re a unique group. They’re a special group,” said Gottlieb. “You have five stars here and there is never any contentiousness at all. They are each other’s biggest supporters and biggest fans. They compliment each other from a basketball standpoint and as human beings,” praised Gottlieb.
The compliments went full circle, as Pedersen went on to explain how much she genuinely loves and appreciates having the opportunity to play and be a part of this spectacular Gaucho team.
Margaret Johnson had three rebounds and added seven points to the team’s total, followed by Meagan Williams with six points.
But it was Pedersen who had a truly oustanding performance and almost walked away with a triple-double, contributing eight points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, one of which at a crucial moment late in the second half. After a semi-successful drive by Northridge to close the gap, Pedersen dribbled passed two Matadors before executing a textbook give-and-go to Williams to increase UCSB’s lead 50-42 with four minutes to go.
Northridge’s Whitney Ligon and Analee Viena-Lota each quickly answered with a 3-pointer bringing the Matadors within four points of the Gauchos, 52-48.
Fortunately, Green and Margaret Johnson both sunk a pair of free throws to hold the lead and defeat Northridge in order to maintain the team’s first place ranking.
The Gauchos will play UC Riverside for the league title on Thursday, followed by Long Beach State on Saturday. The team hopes to wrap up season with two more wins before beginning its push to become Big West champions.
