SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Basketball team opened their season 2-0 this week after a Thursday night victory over future conference foe Pepperdine. Despite a tightly matched game, the Gauchos pulled through in the final minutes to edge out a 58-54 win.
FROM PLAYER OF THE GAME KARISMA FLORES
"I feel very happy right now. I got to play with all my teammates. They're my favorite people right now. It feels good to get the win with them," Flores said. "We've been working really hard, and I'm excited to see what we can do."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos had a stellar opening quarter, winning it ten points ahead at 26-16. They shot 53% overall and 77% in threes, making seven of nine attempts. Karisma Flores opened with two back-to-back three-point buckets to make it 6-0. The Waves encroached after making five points, but Naomy Zonzon-Huyghe and Chauncey Andersen responded with a three-pointer each to get ahead 12-5. They held wide leads at 15-7 and 21-12, then another three from Flores closed out the quarter 26-16 for the Gauchos.
The Waves overcame the Gauchos in the second, making 16 points to the Gauchos seven. Pepperdine began with three points at 9:36, but Anderson put through one of her own to become ten points ahead again at 29-19. The Waves made six more before Nicole Steiner netted two free throws to keep the Gauchos up 31-25. Pepperdine dominated the latter portion of the quarter, however, making seven straight points to be up 35-31 before the Gauchos ended it just two behind at 35-33.
The third quarter was balanced, with each team ending it at 45-45. The Waves came up at 42-39, but the Gauchos leveled at 42-42. Three more points for each ensued, and the teams went on to battle in the fourth.
Flores commenced the final quarter with her fourth three of the evening, bringing the Gauchos ahead 45-42. Four more points made a 52-47 Gaucho lead, but Pepperdine made one from deep to make it 52-50 Santa Barbara with five minutes left. Two additions by Maddie Naro and Andersen made it 56-50 with three minutes left, though Pepperdine immediately caught up and made it 56-54. Andersen made the final basket of the game with 90 seconds left, and the Gauchos left Firestone Fieldhouse with a victory in their hands.
STAT RECAP
Karisma Flores was the offensive leader for the Gauchos, making 16 points and shooting 50%. The Gauchos have been spearheaded by freshmen in both matchups so far, with Sarah Heyn and Flores reaching 17 and 16 points to lead in their debut week.
Olivia Andersen followed up for Santa Barbara with 13 points, making two of two three point attempts to have a flawless three point record on the season so far after also going 2-2 in the season opener. Chauncey Andersen also went 2-2 in threes and made nine points along with a team-high six rebounds. Zonzon-Huyghe made five rebounds, along with a game-high four steals. Maddie Naro made eight assists to match her career-high, while also making two blocks.
UP NEXT
The Gauchos return home on Monday, Nov. 9 to take on Seattle University at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 14 at noon to take on Cal.
