URGENT UPDATE: The UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball team faced another setback, suffering a 69-62 defeat to UC Riverside at the Thunderdome on February 2, 2023. This marks the 10th consecutive game of offensive struggles for the Gauchos, now firmly positioned in fifth place in the Big West Conference standings.
Coach Renee Jimenez expressed her frustration, particularly with the team’s defensive performance. “I thought, defensively, we did not execute the scout — I mean, not even close,” she stated. The Gauchos allowed a staggering 24-point second quarter and a 21-point fourth quarter, leading to their fourth loss in five games.
Currently, UCSB’s record stands at 16-7, including 8-6 in conference play, leaving them three games behind the fourth-place team—a crucial position for securing a bye in the upcoming Big West Tournament. Meanwhile, UC Riverside improved their record to 8-16 overall and 6-8 in the conference.
Despite Riverside shooting only 42.1% from the field, they capitalized on UCSB’s defensive lapses, particularly in the second and fourth quarters. Sophomore Hannah Wickstrom led the Highlanders with an impressive 27 points, including five three-pointers, outscoring the entire UCSB team from beyond the arc (4-of-19, 21.1%).
UCSB, once ranked fourth nationally in three-point shooting at 39.5%, has seen their percentage plummet to 33.9%. Coach Jimenez acknowledged the shooting woes, stating, “We’ve been shooting poorly. We got great shots. We did not focus and we did not finish around the rim.”
The game began with some promise as freshman Chauncey Andersen provided a spark off the bench, contributing a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Gauchos’ shooting slump became evident in the second quarter, where they missed six of their first seven shots, allowing Riverside to surge ahead.
UCSB rallied in the second half, with senior Zoe Borter scoring 17 of her team-high 20 points after halftime. Yet, despite narrowing the gap to 56-54 in the fourth quarter, the Gauchos could not secure a win, ultimately being outscored 15-6 in the last six minutes.
As the team grapples with its ongoing struggles, Coach Jimenez emphasized the need for improved communication and defensive cohesion. “We have to challenge them just to talk and speak and communicate,” she remarked.
Looking ahead, the Gauchos will aim to turn things around in their next game against Cal Poly on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. Fans will be watching closely to see if UCSB can break their slump and reclaim their position in the conference standings.
