The UCSB women led by double digits through the entire second half on the way to a 63-45 win over UC Riverside Saturday in the Thunderdome.
Alexis Tucker led the Gauchos in scoring with 14, and Alexis Whitfield had a career-high 13 rebounds.The win improves the Gauchos’ record to 10-5 in the Big West and 17-8 overall. Riverside falls to 3-13 and 5-21.
The Gauchos started off hot beyond the arc, hitting a trio of 3-pointers and putting together two 7-0 runs while holding the Highlanders to 7.1 percent shooting in taking a 16-5 first quarter lead. The two teams traded scoring in the second quarter, with UCSB leading at the half 33-20.
UCSB’s lead never dipped below 14 points in the fourth quarter, despite the Highlanders scoring 16 points. The Gauchos answered with 16 of their own just in the game’s final 10 minutes, leading by as many as 20. UCSB scored the game’s final two baskets and held an 18-point edge when the final buzzer sounded.
UCSB’s defense held the Highlanders to 22.8 percent shooting from the floor. The Gauchos made exactly twice as many field goals as the Highlanders on one attempt fewer (26-56 versus 13-57).
The Gauchos will look to take the momentum with them on the road for their next two games, as they face Cal State Fullerton on Monday and a major test on Thursday at conference-leading Long Beach State.