A stunning performance by senior guard Alexis Tucker helped the USCB women’s basketball team open the Big West season with a win Thursday, 66-59 over Cal State Fullerton at the Thunderdome.
Tucker scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, and hit all six of her free throws — including four in the final minute to help fend off a Titan fourth-quarter comeback. Tucker also tied for team honors in rebounds (eight), assists (three) and steals (two).
Senior center Ila Lane finished with 10 points and seven boards, and sophomore guard Kennedy Johnson added eight points and eight rebounds in her second start of the season.
In an important contribution off the bench, freshman guard Jessica Grant hit three consecutive 3s in the second half for her nine points, helping the Gauchos to a game-high lead of 16 points, 56-40, with seven minutes left in the game.
From there, the Titans mounted a rally to come within five points before Tucker helped hold them at bay in the final minute.
Fujika Nimmo led Fullerton with 23 points. The Gauchos are now 8-3 overall. The Titans fall to 5-5.
UCSB’s defense helped the team to a strong start, holding Fullerton to 19 percent shooting in the first quarter while taking a 16-11 lead.
The pace picked up for both teams in the second quarter, and the Gauchos led 34-29 at the half. The UCSB output included dazzling drives and turnaround jumpers from Tucker, as she and Lane combined for 7-of-9 shooting in the second quarter.
Midway through the third quarter, Tucker forced a timeout with another highlight play, crossing over into the lane and stepping back for a one-footed fadeaway to take the lead to 41-33. That gave her 21 points on 9-of-11 from the field with five minutes left in the third. It was her team-leading third 20-point game this season.
The Gauchos outshot the Titans 45 percent to 39 percent, and out-rebounded them 39 to 29.
The Gauchos travel to take on UC San Diego on Saturday, with game time at 2 p.m.