CORVALLIS, Ore. – UCSB (2-5) captured its second win of the season on Saturday defeating Oregon State, 59-53, at the Beavers’ Gill Coliseum.
The Gauchos shot 43.4 percent from the field while holding the Beavers to 31.9 percent, a season-low for UCSB opposition. UCSB also tallied a season-low 13 turnovers with just four in the second half.
For the Beavers, Talisa Rhea led the charge, scoring 20 points for Oregon State while also posting four assists.
The game was a seesaw battle throughout and with 3:50 left to play, the game was deadlocked at 47 apiece.
Valentine began the final charge for the Gauchos when she was fouled and sunk both of her free throws. On the next possession, the fortunes appeared to be on the Gauchos’ side when Brittany Kennedy’s wide-open three-point attempt rimmed out.
On the other side of the court, Johnson was fouled outside the arc and proceeded to nail all three of her free throws, stretching the Gaucho lead to five points.
The closest Oregon State came the rest of the way was two points after Rhea hit a three-pointer with just over two minutes to go. UCSB closed out the game with a 9-3 run.
The win marked the first over a Pac-10 school in the Lindsay Gottlieb-era and the first since Nov. 11, 2007 when the Gauchos defeated USC.
“I am so proud of our toughness and our attitude,” said head coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the win. “I was proud of them at the five minute mark, the 18 minute mark and the 39 minute mark. It was the quintessential team win.”
UCSB will return home on Sunday, Dec. 13 to host Cal State Bakersfield at 2 p.m. in the Thunderdome. To purchase tickets, please call (805) 893-UCSB, visit the Ticket Office located inside the Intercollegiate Athletics building on campus or click here.
