Overview:
Skylar Burke’s four free throws in the final 20 seconds thwart Matador comeback
NORTHRIDGE — Sophomore guard Jessica Grant came off the bench to score 17 points and help UC Santa Barbara avoid a women’s basketball upset at Cal State Northridge on Saturday, 64-60.
Grant, playing a season-high 35 minutes with starting point guard Alyssa Marin sidelined with an injury, made 6-of-13 shots which included 5-of-12 from three-point range.
The five threes matched her career-high set last year at UC San Diego while the 17 points equaled another career-best she scored earlier this season against the University of Pacific.
The victory keeps UCSB (15-8, 9-4 Big West Conference) in a three-way tie for third place in league play with Cal Poly (13-9, 9-4) and UC Davis (13-10, 9-4). Those schools trail Big West co-leaders UC Irvine (15-7, 10-3) and Hawai’i (13-9, 10-3) by one game.
The Gauchos lost Marin, their assist leader and No. 2 scorer on the season, when she was elbowed in the head during the first quarter of Thursday’s 60-38 loss at Irvine.
UCSB’s offensive struggles continued Saturday at CSUN. The Gauchos shot just 38.6% (22-57) overall and 29.6% from three. Grant’s teammates made just 3-of-15 threes.
The Gauchos also committed 18 turnovers, with 15 coming off Matador steals.
But Grant hit a jumper and two threes in the final 2½ minutes of the first quarter to put UCSB ahead 22-16.
CSUN stayed close through the rest of the first half, trailing just 35-33 at the break. It pulled ahead early in the second half, 40-36, when Kaitlyn Elsholz made a three and a layup. She led all scorers with 21 points.
But Alexis Whitfield, quiet for much of the game, came alive with three baskets in a span of four-plus minutes to put UCSB back on top, 44-41. She finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Grant then gave the Gauchos some separation, 53-43, by making a three to finish the third quarter and two more during the first 42 seconds of the fourth period.
Elsholz rallied the Matadors again, getting them as close as 58-56 when she converted a three-point play with 56 seconds remaining.
But UCSB’s Laurel Rockwood converted two foul shots after rebounding Grant’s miss.
Sophomore Skylar Burke then added four more in the final 20 seconds to preserve the victory. Burke finished with 11 points and four rebounds.
Sophomore Mary McMorris started at point guard in Marin’s absence and responded with eight assists and seven rebounds. Freshman Zoe Borter came off the bench to add seven points and grab four rebounds.
The Gauchos will return home on Thursday to play UC San Diego in a 7 p.m. game.