Orlando Johnson gave Bob Williams an exclamation mark for his 223rd career victory at UCSB, sinking a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left in Monday’s game that lifted the Gauchos to a 58-57 Big West Conference win at Cal Poly.
Williams surpassed Jerry Pimm as the all-time leader for coaching victories at UCSB with No. 223 and did it with a dramatic finish.
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Johnson’s big shot helped UCSB avoid losing a game in which it led by as many as 13. The Mustangs took their first lead of the second half with 1:41 to go but missed 3-of-4 free throws after that to open the door for Johnson.
Johnson tallied 12 points total, connecting on only 4-of-14 attempts.
“I always have confidence,” Johnson said. “Even when I’m not shooting the ball well, I know that I just need to keep shooting and good things will happen.”
Johnson wasn’t the only one struggling with his shot; UCSB as a team failed to convert a field goal in the final 7:41 other than Johnson’s 3-pointer.
Freshman Alan Williams had his best game as a Gaucho, posting career highs in points (13), rebounds (10), and minutes (29).
A double-double from Cal Poly’s Will Taylor of 17 points and 11 rebounds led the Mustangs, who fall to 9-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
UCSB (6-5) snaps a three-game losing streak and faces Cal State Fullerton in the Thunderdome on Thursday in another conference game.
