Box Score SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A phenomenal performance by Alexis Tucker and some great bench play helped the UC Santa Barbara women's basketball team out to a 1-0 start in Big West play, as the Gauchos defeated Cal State Fullerton 66-59 on Thursday night at the Thunderdome.
Santa Barbara opens conference play with a win for the second straight season and improves to 8-3 overall while dropping the Titans to 5-5.
ON THE STAT SHEET
- Tucker couldn't have been more efficient, as she poured in 25 points on 9-of-12 from the field and 6-of-6 on free throws, helping to ice the game down the stretch at the line. The senior guard also tied for team-high honors in rebounds (8), assists (3) and steals (2).
- Senior center Ila Lane finished with 10 points (4-11 FG) and seven boards.
- Off the bench, freshman guard Jessica Grant had another impactful shooting day, hitting three consecutive second half threes for her nine points as she helped Gauchos build their largest lead.
- Earning her second start of the season, sophomore guard Kennedy Johnson put up eight points and eight rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Gaucho defense was strong in the early-going, as the Titans were held to just 19 percent (3-16 FG) from the field in the opening quarter. UCSB took an early eight-point lead on back-to-back layups by Lane and Tucker and ended the first up 16-11.
- The pace picked up for both teams in the second quarter. UCSB found Lane over the top for a couple easy buckets and she showed off her footwork with a gorgeous step through to put the Gauchos up 26-17. Tucker dazzled with an array of strong drives and turnaround jumpers. She and Lane combined to shoot 7-of-9 in the second for 16 of UCSB's 18 points as they went into halftime leading 34-29.
- Midway through the third, Tucker forced a timeout with another highlight play, crossing over into the lane and stepping back for a one-footed fadeaway to make it 41-33. That gave her 21 points on 9-of-11 from the field just 25 minutes into the game. It was her team-leading third 20-point game this season.
- The reserves would step up with some big contributions from there. Grant hit her first three late in the third to give more cushioning on what was a five-point lead. Early in the fourth, sophomore Callie Cooper came up with an offensive board and found Grant outside who splashed a deep, in-rhythm three. Cooper followed up with a traditional three-point play on the next possession and Grant hit yet another trey to push the lead to 56-40 with under seven minutes to go.
- The Titans were able to make it a game late, clawing back to within five, but Tucker would make all four free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
UP NEXT
This Saturday at 2:00 p.m., UCSD will welcome the Gauchos to town for their Big West road opener on New Year's Eve.
