Sophomore point guard Emilie Johnson was named the Big West Player of the Week after leading the UCSB women’s basketball teams to a pair of important conference victories. It is the second time this season that the Loomis, Calif. native has been so honored.
Johnson opened the week with 21 points and four assists in a 67-54 victory at Cal State Northridge on Wednesday, as she led all scorers and notched her third 20-point performance in her career.
However, Johnson saved her best for last.
Facing then-second place Cal Poly in a Blue-Green Rivalry game on Saturday, Johnson poured in 27 points – two off her career-high – while dishing out a career-high eight assists in an 85-70 win. Johnson made 10 of 15 shots – including a career-best tying five 3-pointers – while nabbing four steals.
Johnson scored 20 of her points in the first half as the Gauchos trailed 7-0 to open the game, then turned it around and finished the half on a 42-19 run.
For the week Johnson shot 55.2% from the floor, which included a 50% showing from beyond the 3-point line, while averaging 24 points and six assists in the two games.
UCSB is currently fifth in the Big West, but the Gauchos could obtain the fourth seed – and therefore, a first-round bye in the Big West Tournament – if they defeat UC Irvine on Wednesday and UC Riverside beats Long Beach State.
Big West Tournament tickets are currently available, so be sure to catch the action in Anaheim, starting next week. Tickets are available by calling (805) 893-UCSB.
