UCSB’s James Nunnally was named Big West Player of the Week after topping his career-high in scoring twice and leading the Gauchos to wins over Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara.
Nunnally made 11-of-14 shots overall and 4-of-5 from three-point range to score a career-high 29 points in UCSB’s 77-67 win over Loyola Marymount on Dec. 1. In the win over the Lions, the junior from Stockton also had six rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes of action.
The career-high for points that Nunnally set in the win over Loyola Marymount lasted for all of three days. On Saturday, Dec. 4, he poured in 34 points in the Gauchos’ 80-69 win at Santa Clara. Nunnally made 8-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-6 from three-point territory, and 14-of-16 free throws. He also had five rebounds, two assists and three steals in the victory over the Broncos.
Nunnally’s performance in the Gauchos’ first road win of the year was particularly important because the team’s other leading scorer, Orlando Johnson, was in foul trouble and limited to 23 minutes overall and four in the first half.
In the two games combined, Nunnally averaged 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He made 19-of-25 shots from the field, 76.0%, 8-of-11 from three-point range, 72.7%, and 17-of-19 from the free throw line, 89.5%.
“James was really special last week,” said UCSB head coach Bob Williams. “In both games he was a difference-maker and he is going very well right now.”
On the season, Nunnally is now leading the Gauchos at 21.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He is shooting 51.1% overall, 36.6% from three-point range and 89.8% from the free throw line. He ranks first in the Big West in scoring and 14th in the nation.
UCSB, which is now 4-3, is off this week for final examinations. The Gauchos return to action when they travel to 19th-ranked UNLV on Wednesday, Dec. 15 and 15th-ranked San Diego State on Saturday, Dec. 18. Their next home game will be on Dec. 21 when they host Cal Baptist in a 7:00 p.m. game at the Thunderdome.
