SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Basketball team endured a demanding home game against Cal State Bakersfield Thursday night, going back and forth with the Roadrunners before ultimately clinching the victory after a critical fourth-quarter surge. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first period proved worrisome for the Gauchos, as the Roadrunners not only fashioned the first lead at 6-2, but responded every time the Gauchos got a basket. Santa Barbara ran seven consecutive points to take a 9-6 lead, but Bakersfield hit back with ten more points and took the first period 16-14. 

The Roadrunners also led for the majority of the second, but Santa Barbara's 20 total points put them ahead at the half. Midway through, the Gauchos had their first lead at 25-24. The teams traded leads until a last-second layup by Zoe Shaw pushed the Gauchos ahead by one, putting them up 34-33 at the half.

Zoe Borter had an immaculate first half, going 5-5 in field goals and 4-4 in free throws. She totaled 15 points to lead the game in scoring through the first 20 minutes. She finished the game with 20 points, and was one of two Gauchos to enter 20+ points. 

The third quarter's score was erratic, as Bakersfield cut into every lead the Gauchos managed. Santa Barbara began with a 10-point run to make it 44-35, but the Roadrunners returned with 11 of their own and tied it at 46-46. After 48-48, the Gauchos made 11 of the next 12 points to bring themselves ahead 58-49. The Roadrunners ran it back once more, however, and the Gauchos finished ahead by just five at 60-55. 

In the fourth, the Gauchos got their break. They outscored the Roadrunners 22-12, and Olivia Bradley made 10. Santa Barbara finished ahead by 15, 82-67.

Bradley dominated the second half, going 7-7 and making 19 points. Her performance serves as the second best single-half by a Gaucho this season, the first being Zoe Borter's 20-point half against Bakersfield in December. In total, Bradley made a career-high 27 points and career-high 11 field goals.

Zoe Shaw also put up double digits, making 14 points and four three-pointers.  Chauncey Andersen clutched a season and career-high 12 rebounds and four free throws. Borter led the game in assists, all of which she made in the second half. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will cross the Pacific to Hawai'i, who they will play on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 10:00 p.m. PST.