Despite Coco Miller delivering a game-high 19 points, UCSB (1-7) shot 27.7 percent against Santa Clara (5-2) on Tuesday night, as they fell 48-37 in the Thunderdome.
Miller drained a career-high five three-pointers for the Gauchos, as she also tallied five rebounds, an assist, and one steal. Chaya Durr was second on the team with six points and also picked up a team-high three steals.
Off the bench, Taylor Farris played 25 minutes and paced the team with six rebounds and also chipped in two assists and a pair of steals.
As the Gauchos had a game-high 12 assists overall, Onome Jemerigbe contributed a season-high five dimes.
Along with their struggles in shooting from the field, UCSB also had an underwhelming night at the foul line, going just 5-15 as a team.
In a game filled with turnovers, the Gauchos came out on top in the category with the Broncos giving the ball up 29 times, while UCSB committed 23 turnovers. The Gauchos picked up 14 steals in the process with Durr leading the way, and Taylor Farris, Onome Jemerigbe, and Jasmine Ware all contributing with two apiece.
It was a tight battle through the first 36 minutes of the game, as the Gauchos were within two points entering the fourth quarter.
With 6:37 left in the third quarter, the Broncos grabbed what was then their highest lead of the game at six points following a jumper from Morgan McGwire. The Gauchos, though, were quick to respond with a put back lay up from Durr followed by a triple from Miller in the next possession.
Farris came up with a lay up set up by Makala Roper to make it a one-point game at 29-28 with 2:27 left in the third, but a Taylor Berry free throw pushed Santa Clara’s lead to two points heading into the final quarter.
In the opening minute of the final quarter, the Broncos picked up a three-pointer, which triggered a 12-3 run that put Santa Clara up 43-31 with 3:45 left in the game.
After a pair of missed lay ups, the Gauchos were able to put themselves back on the board with Miller knocking down two foul shots and went on to score the team’s final five points, which included her fifth three-pointer of the night.
In all, UCSB was outscored in the fourth quarter 18-9 in the fourth quarter, as the Broncos went 7-15 from the field with the help of five offensive rebounds.
The Gauchos will be back in the Thunderdome on Friday night to host Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. The game will be the team’s last contest before taking a one-week hiatus for finals week.
