UCSB’s women’s basketball team provided plenty of warmth for the Thunderdome crowd on Sunday, catching fire to score a season-high in points, easily defeating Cal State Bakersfield 79-51.
The Gauchos (3-5) shot the lights out, connecting on 60 percent of their field goals, blinding the Roadrunners (4-5).
UCSB had four players scoring in double figures, with sophomore point guard Emilie Johnson and freshman Sweets Underwood leading the way with 12 points each.
“It was a good week of practice,” Johnson said. “It was a team win, everyone played really well.”
Jordan Franey chipped in 11 points and Mekia Valentine contributed 10 points.
The Gauchos seized the lead from the Roadrunners after a 16-2 eight-minute run that Franey capped off with a jumper from the top of the key midway through the first half.
“It was about being able to push the ball and get easy looks,” said head coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the victory. “And we really executed.”
UCSB never relinquished the lead to Cal State Bakersfield.
BOX SCORE *** GAUCHOS SCHEDULE
Underwood started another UCSB run when she drove to the hoop, bounced off a Cal State Bakersfield player and layed the ball in. Chris Spencer finished off the 19-2 run with a strong offensive rebound and a kiss off the glass with seconds left in the first half extending the Gauchos lead to 25.
The Gauchos continued to put its foot on the gas in the second half as it cruised past the Roadrunners with its strong interior play.
“The team has really bought into the concept of being better as a team,” Gottlieb said.”This team is starting to get better and the scoreboard is showing it.”
After an 0-4 start, UCSB has won three of its last four.
Valentine started the second half by soaring high into the air to retrieve a pass, gathering herself for an easy layup.
Meagan Williams scored six of her nine points in a 48-second span, giving the Roadrunners no chance to get back into the game.
The scoring was contagious and every player on UCSB’s roster scored. The bench got valuable minutes and the starters were able to rest most of the second half as the Gauchos led by as many as 39 points in the second half.
“At any given moment we can get into foul trouble with our first group and we want to feel like we can go to anybody wearing a Gaucho uniform and be sucessful,” Gottlieb said.
The Gauchos host UCLA Tuesday at the Thunderdome for a 7 p.m. tip off.
