UCSB had its three-game win streak snapped on Saturday afternoon as it fell to visiting Cal Poly, 65-56, in the Thunderdome.
The loss marked the second of the season against the Mustangs. The Gauchos had fallen, 66-
47, at Cal Poly on Jan. 19 before proceeding to win five of its next six games.
UCSB falls to 11-13 on the season and to 7-5 in Big West play while Cal Poly improves to 14-
9 overall and 8-4 in league.
Senior Sweets Underwood recorded her third consecutive double-double – and 10th of the season – to lead the Gauchos. She put up 15 points, making 5-of-12 attempts from the field and sinking 5-of-7 free-throw attempts.Underwood also had 13 rebounds and two assists.
Senior Angelei Aguirre had 12 points, one-shy of her career-high. Kirsten Tilleman, meanwhile, was just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine assists. Junior Nicole Nesbit led the team with five assists.
After Cal Poly’s Molly Schlemer put up 22 points in the Jan. 19 game, UCSB seemed to still not
have a response for the 6-5 center on Saturday afternoon. The junior recorded a double-
double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Kayla Griffin had 15 points and seven rebounds,
Ariana Elgado recorded 12 points and Jonae Ervin had 11 assists.
The Gauchos shot 35.1% (20-of-57) from the floor and 71.4% from the free-throw line (15-
of-21). Cal Poly shot 45.3% (24-of-53) from the floor, made 8-of-17 three-pointers (47.1%)
and sunk 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the charity stripe. UCSB was out-rebounded 38-34. After
committing nine turnovers in the first half, the Gauchos did not tally any more in the second
stanza.
Cal Poly went on a 16-0 run early in the game to open up an 18-2 lead
The Gauchos were able to go on an 11-4 run over the ensuing five minutes to cut their deficit to 10 at 25-15. The Mustangs then pushed their lead back to 14, but four straight points by Destini Mason put the Gauchos back within 10 at halftime, 33-23.
Melissa Zornig hit a three to open the second half, cutting the Mustang lead to single digits
for the first time since the opening six minutes of the game. Cal Poly was able to build its
lead back up to 17 points with 13:18 to go when Griffin hit a three-pointer.
The double figure lead held until the Gauchos went on an 8-0 run to whittle their deficit to
53-46 with 6:07 to go. While UCSB kept attempting to chip away, the Mustangs were able to
hold the Gauchos at bay as they secured the 65-56 win.
Saturday’s game served as UCSB’s annual Play 4Kay game to help raise breast cancer
awareness.
