UPDATE: The UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball team suffered a 69-62 defeat to UC Riverside on February 2, 2023, marking their 10th straight game without a consistent offensive performance. Coach Renee Jimenez expressed frustration over the team’s defensive lapses, which allowed Riverside to dominate crucial moments of the game.
In a critical match at the Thunderdome, the Gauchos fell deeper into fifth place in the Big West Conference, now three games back from a coveted spot in the top four, which secures a bye in the first round of the upcoming tournament. The loss was especially painful as it came on the heels of a challenging January, with the team now only managing one win in their last five games.
The Highlanders, despite shooting just 42.1% overall, capitalized on UCSB’s defensive shortcomings, scoring 24 points in the second quarter and 21 points in the fourth. Standout player Hannah Wickstrom led Riverside with 27 points, showcasing an impressive shooting performance that included 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. In stark contrast, UCSB struggled, making only 4-of-19 three-point attempts, significantly underperforming from their early January ranking of 4th nationally in three-point accuracy.
Jimenez highlighted the ongoing shooting struggles, stating, “We’ve been shooting poorly… We did not focus and we did not finish around the rim when we got up.” This shooting slump has seen the Gauchos hit just 27.1% of their three-point attempts over the last ten games, a drastic drop from their earlier success.
The game featured a spirited effort from Chauncey Andersen, who came off the bench to score 13 points and secure 11 rebounds. The freshman’s early contributions helped UCSB momentarily lead in the first quarter, but the team was unable to maintain momentum as Riverside surged ahead.
As the game progressed, UCSB managed to close the gap to 56-54 midway through the fourth quarter. However, Riverside’s late-game execution proved decisive, outscoring the Gauchos 15-6 in the final minutes. Jimenez noted the need for improved communication on the court, stating, “It was real quiet on the court. We have to challenge them just to talk and speak and communicate.”
Looking ahead, the Gauchos will face Cal Poly on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a critical home matchup, as they aim to break their losing streak and regain their footing in the conference standings. With only seven games remaining in the regular season, every moment counts for UCSB as they seek to secure a better position heading into the tournament.
This latest defeat underscores the urgency for the Gauchos to address their defensive and offensive challenges as they navigate the remainder of the season. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching their performance in the upcoming game against Cal Poly.
