Box Score SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Senior point guard Danae Miller set a new season-high with 26 points, junior center Ila lane pulled down 16 rebounds and the UC Santa Barbara women's basketball team outscored CSUN 16-8 down the stretch to defeat the Matadors 61-54 on Tuesday night.
Miller moved into sole possession of No. 6 in career assists (406) and No. 8 in three-pointers (135) in the Gaucho record book, also setting a career-high in free throws by knocking down 14-of-15 (93.3%) at the line.
The Gauchos (9-6, 3-3) improved to 6-1 at the Thunderdome this season, their best start at home since 2008-09.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st Half
- The Matadors (6-10, 2-4) started off hot from outside, hitting four of their first seven threes. They would go 0-for-6 the rest of the way.
- Fewer turnovers and more trips to the charity stripe helped keep the Gauchos close early on. A three-pointer from sophomore guard Alyssa Marin ended the quarter with a slight 16-15 CSUN advantage. That shot put Miller past Barbara Beainy (1988-92) in career assists.
- Both teams made just two field goals in a low-scoring second quarter. UCSB's final shot of the half was a trey by Miller with 2:35 left on the clock, seeing her pass Sarah Porter (2016-18) on the Gaucho leaderboards.
- The Gauchos outscored CSUN by a slight margin in the second, 8-7, to tie it at 23-23 heading into the half.
2nd Half
- Santa Barbara came out of halftime looking to get the ball inside to Lane. After going scoreless through two quarters, she scored eight points in the third on 3-of-5 shot attempts. The Gauchos shot 45.5 percent (5-11 FG) in the third, their best of the night, as they headed into the last 10 minutes still tied at 38-38.
- There were four ties and seven lead changes in the final quarter alone.
- Freshman guard Kennedy Johnson provided a huge spark, blocking two shots and scoring all six of her points in the fourth. Her steal and left-handed dagger layup with just over a minute remaining capped an 8-0 UCSB run, putting the Gauchos up 53-46. Miller would ice the game down the stretch, making all eight of her free throws in the final 31 seconds.
NOTABLE
- It was an outstanding night at the line for the Gauchos, as they set a new season-high going 24-for-27 (88.9%) on free throws.
- Lane finished with her Big West-leading fifth double-double of the year with 10 points and 16 boards.
NEXT UP
UCSB will be back at home this Thursday to take on Hawaii at 7:00 p.m. at the Thunderdome.
