UCSB’s Orlando Johnson
After leading UCSB to a pair of Big West road wins over the weekend, sophomore guard Orlando Johnson has been named Big West Player of the Week. Johnson is the first Gaucho to earn the honor this season.
On Thursday, Feb. 4, Johnson scored a career-high 28 points to go along with six rebounds and three steals to lead UCSB past first-place Pacific, 61-48. The loss was the Tigers’ first at the A.G. Spanos Center this season and it ended their 16-game home court winning streak. Johnson made 8-of-16 shots overall, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and 10-of-12 free throws in the win.
In Saturday’s 81-77 win at UC Davis, Johnson made 5-of-8 field goal attempts, including 1-of-2 from 3-point territory, and 4-of-5 from free throws en route to 15 points. He also had a pair of rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, and one steal.
“Orlando has been such a consistent force for us,” said UCSB head coach Bob Williams. “He came up huge in a big win at Pacific and was a key part of another important win at Davis. This honor is well-deserved.”
In the two games combined, Johnson averaged 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocked shots. He made 13-of-24 shots overall, 54.2%, and 3-of-6 from 3-point range, 50.0%. He also made 14 out of 17 free throws, 82.4%.
Entering the week, Johnson leads the Big West and the Gauchos in overall scoring at 17.8 points per game. He is also averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The transfer from Loyola Marymount is making 49.0% of his field goal attempts overall, 38.4% of his free throws and 65.5% of his free throws. In fact, Johnson has made 37 of his last 44 free throw attempts, 84.1%.
The Gauchos enter the week with an overall record of 13-8 and a Big West mark of 8-3. They are one-half game behind Pacific for first-place in the conference.
UCSB will host Long Beach State on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 4:00 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Prime Ticket. Additionally, the second men’s basketball “Legend of the Dome” will be unveiled.
