UCSB’s men’s basketball game faces Portland tonight at the Thunderdome, a team that the Gauchos lost to 75-63 last season in Portland. Presidio Sports will be providing in-game updates throughout the game as the 3-0 Gauchos look to remain undefeated on the season.
GAME OVER – Gauchos win!! Final Score: 83-69. A stellar second half leads to a come-from-behind victory for UCSB, which improves to 4-0 on the season. Orlando Johnson scores a game-high 26 and James Nunnally adds 22. Jaime Serna tallies a season-high 15 points. UCSB plays again on Saturday, hosting San Diego State in the Thunderdome. Game story with quotes coming soon.
3:18 – Last official timeout of the game, and UCSB has its largest lead of the game at 73-62. James Nunnally and Orlando Johnson have gotten hot in the second half to carry UCSB towards its fourth win of the season without a loss.
4:52 – Another jumper from James Nunnally gives UCSB a 69-60 lead and forces Portland to call a timeout. UCSB has outscored Portland 38-25 in the second half so far.
6:02 – When Orlando Johnson isn’t scoring for the Gauchos, he’s setting up his teammates. Johnson found Nunnally in the corner for a 3-pointer and UCSB leads 67-58. Johnson has 22 points with 15 coming in the second half.
8:30 – The second half has turned into the Orlando Johnson show, as the UCSB senior has scored 13 of the Gauchos’ last 15 points to help UCSB take a 62-53 lead.
16:20 – James Nunnally’s first 3-pointer of game gives UCSB its first lead of second half at 40-38.
16:47 – Serna gets another bucket and after a defensive stop for UCSB, the Gauchos rebound and push the ball in transition. James Nunnally gets fouled on the break, making 1-of-2 free throws to pull the Gauchos within one.
18:05 left in second half – First bucket of second half is Nate Garth knocking down a long-range jumper on an assist from Orlando Johnson. Portland’s Nemanja Mitrovic answers with his own 3-pointer. 38-34.
HALFTIME – After a 28-28 tie, Portland closed the half with a 7-3 run to take a 35-31 advantage into the locker room. Leading scorers thus far are Jaime Serna with 10 for UCSB and Tanner Riley has 12 for Portland. The Gauchos have missed all eight of their 3-point attempts and connected on only 13-of-22 free throws. Riley has made 4-of-5 shots for Portland, including three 3-pointers.
2:04 – Portland takes its biggest lead of the game at 33-28, partly on two free throws from Rodgers after Williams was whistled for a flagrant foul for clearing out with his elbows after a defensive rebound.
3:57 – UCSB freshman Al Williams checks into the game for the first time, replacing Greg Somogyi who has two fouls. UCSB falls behind again 26-28 but Green gets an offensive rebound and putback on his first offensive possession. Getting fouled on the basket, Williams will shoot a free throw after timeout with score tied 28-28.
4:37 – Gauchos briefly trail 24-23 after Riley knocks down jump shot while being fouled for 3-point play. Orlando Johnson makes 1-of-2 free throws to tie it 24-24. Now 26-26 and Portland at the free throw line after a UCSB foul puts them in the bonus.
6:17 – Serna picks up his second foul and heads to the bench with 10 points and score 23-21. An estimated 2200 in attendance here at the Thunderdome. Tonight’s game is the fourth of a season-opening six-game homestand.
7:57 – Another bucket by Serna, plus one, keeps the Gauchos out front 21-18. UCSB doing a good job of attacking Portland’s match-up zone and getting shot attempts near the bucket. Official timeout.
10:01 – Gauchos locked up at 18-16 after a pair of free throws by Jaime Serna. Serna now has team-high six points
15:58 – Gauchos up 12-8 but Portland hit two 3-pointers to erase some of their early deficit.
17:50 left in first half: Gauchos take an early 6-2 lead thanks to a pair of buckets by Jaime Serna and an alley-oop from Nate Garth to James Nunnally.
