UCSB’s Taran Brown takes a jumpshot during the second half of Wednesday’s game with University of San Diego. Brown converted 8-of-14 field goal attempts. (Presidio Sports Photos)
UCSB freshman Taran Brown led the Gauchos in scoring for the third-straight game in Wednesday’s 57-39 victory over University of San Diego.
After the game, however, Gauchos head coach Bob Williams was trumpeting his team’s defensive effort. UCSB held San Diego to just 11 points in the second half as the Toreros connected on 3 of 27 shots. Alan Williams tied a career-high with five blocks.
?They obviously missed some shots, but I thought we had something to do with that,? Williams said. ?That (USD) is a very good shooting team, especially from outside, and we really did a good job of closing out and staying with their shooters most of the game.?
“We came out there and executed. I mean, it was just a battle of them missing shots and us executing,” Alan Williams said.
After two early 3-pointers by Johnny Dee, San Diego wasn’t much better in the first half and finished the game shooting a rugged 24.5 percent on 53 attempts.
“Our pressure was definitely there,” Alan Williams said. “But when you’re missing shots, you’re missing shots.”
Brown scored 17 points on ?8-of-14 field goal attempts?to go with eight rebounds. The red-shirt freshman is averaging 15.8 points per game in four games this season.
“Me personally, I’m having a blast,” Brown said. “It’s the first time I’m getting to really go.”
The Gauchos, who outscored the Toreros in the paint 24-14, led 34-28 at halftime.
UCSB improves to 2-2 and plays next at Boise State on Saturday.
San Diego falls to 3-3 and will also travel to a colder climate this weekend to take on Montana.
Alan Williams, who totaled 12 points, 8 boards and 5 blocks, drives through the key.
