Despite Jasmine Ware scoring a game-high 15 points, UCSB dropped its Big West opener to Cal Poly 56-41 in the Thunderdome on Saturday.
The Gauchos are now 0-14 overall in opening league play at 0-1. The Mustangs even their season mark to 7-7 and remain undefeated in the conference at 2-0.
Following Ware’s 15 points was Makala Roper who scored nine points in making a pair of three-point shots. Roper has now made at least two downtown looks in four of the past five games, including the last three straight. Onome Jemerigbe led the team with five assists to go along with her five points.
Leading the Gauchos in rebounding for the second consecutive game was Chaya Durr who grabbed seven boards. Overall, the Mustangs led in the rebounding category 42-29.
Cal Poly registered the game’s opening basket with a short jumper from Hannah Gilbert, but Ware had the quick response in hitting her first midrange shot of the afternoon. Falling behind early, the Gauchos were unable to keep pace with the Mustangs who garnered a 30-15 halfitme lead after shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Ariana Elegado led the half with nine points in directing her team’s offense. She went on to finish with 11 points and six assists.
In facing a 15-point deficit to open the second half, UCSB went to work early in scoring four unanswered points in the opening minute. Kendra Morrison hit a long two from the left corner off on outlet pass from Jemerigbe, while Ware connected on yet another midrange jumper to put the Gauchos within 11.
While Cal Poly got its offense rolling again with five unanswered points, Taylor Farris stepped up for UCSB with a long jumper made from the corner to make the score 35-21. The freshman went on to make the Gauchos’ next shot, this time from the baseline at the 14:38 mark.
While UCSB struggled shooting the three-ball in the first half by going 0-9, the team was able to connect on three downtown shots in the second half with Roper hitting two of them and Jemerigbe nabbing one of her own from the top of key.
Roper’s last three-pointer made with 54 seconds left was the last basket of the game, as the Gauchos went on to tie the Mustangs in second half scoring with 26 points.
