SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Basketball Team emerged from today's match up versus Grand Canyon University with a 72-70 win. The Gauchos avenged a 2024 loss to the Antelopes and are now 2-0 versus GCU at home. 

FROM HEAD COACH RENEE JIMENEZ
"I think everybody here in this group has really bought into it's your moment when it's your moment," Jimenez said. "I mean, for us to pull out a win against Grand Canyon, who's like a mid-major top 25, and lose rebounding is really impressive. And that's just the guts of this team down the stretch." 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
The teams switched leads throughout the quarters, with the Antelopes taking the first period 16-13. Olivia Bradley put the Gauchos on the board first, driving a layup to start the game 2-0. Santa Barbara had a fast start to establish an early 5-1 heading, but the Antelopes balanced it out exited the first victorious. 

The Gauchos made a run in the second to take a halftime lead of 36-30. Beginning with a three pointer by Zoe Shaw, Santa Barbara made four buckets in a row to overcome their deficit and make it 25-18. They had a ten point buffer, their largest of the game, at 33-23. 

GCU was back on top in the third, taking it 55-53. They outscored the Gauchos 20 to 15 to enter the fourth and final stage of the game ahead by two. The teams traded the lead late into the quarter, but the Lopes eked out the advantage. 

The fourth quarter became increasingly charged, each Gaucho basket bringing them closer to the win. The Antelopes led by one with 16 seconds left on the clock. With the possession, Zoe Borter made a turnaround jump shot to give the Gauchos the advantage at 71-70. Olivia Bradley shot a free throw to make it 72 for the Gauchos, and the Antelopes were not able to recover as the clock struck zero. 

Zoe Shaw was the best scorer for the second game in a row, sinking 17 to put herself on top. Olivia Bradley followed with 16 and had a team-high seven rebounds. She also got a spectacular five blocks. 

Zoe Borter led the assists with a career-best six. Skyler Burke broke out after the half, making seven of her nine points in the latter half of the game.

Maddie Naro had her best shooting game of the season, going four for five in threes. She totaled 15 points and hit double digits for the first time. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will visit San Jose State on Wednesday, Nov. 15 for a 6:00 p.m. game.