UPDATE: The UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball team suffered a disheartening 69-62 defeat against UC Riverside at the Thunderdome on February 2, 2024, marking their tenth consecutive game plagued by offensive struggles. Head coach Renee Jimenez expressed frustration over a defensive collapse that allowed the Highlanders to score heavily in critical moments.
“Defensively, we did not execute the scout — not even close,” Jimenez stated. “To give them a 24-point second quarter and a 21-point fourth quarter is really frustrating. We’re better than that.” With this loss, UCSB’s record now stands at 16-7 overall and 8-6 in the Big West Conference, sinking them deeper into fifth place, three games behind the fourth spot necessary for a first-round bye in the upcoming Big West Tournament.
The Gauchos struggled offensively, shooting just 21.1% from three-point range, converting only 4-of-19 attempts. In stark contrast, Riverside’s Hannah Wickstrom, who ranks sixth nationally with an average of 23.3 points per game, exploded for 27 points, hitting 10-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Despite a spirited effort from freshman Chauncey Andersen, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, UCSB fell victim to Riverside’s offensive momentum, particularly in the second and fourth quarters. The Highlanders capitalized on the Gauchos’ misfires, with Wickstrom leading a strong second-quarter surge that put them ahead 36-24 by halftime.
UCSB briefly rallied in the third quarter, closing the gap to 48-47, thanks to a strong performance from junior Zoe Borter, who finished with a team-high 20 points. However, the Gauchos could not maintain their momentum, allowing Riverside to pull away with a decisive 15-6 run in the final minutes.
Jimenez lamented, “You’re not going to win games when you only play for 10 minutes,” emphasizing the need for consistent effort throughout the game. The team will look to regroup and address these issues ahead of their next matchup against Cal Poly at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
As the season progresses, the Gauchos are under pressure to improve their performance, especially with only seven games left before the tournament. The urgency for change is palpable, as Jimenez noted the necessity for increased communication and defensive cohesion among players.
Stay tuned as UCSB attempts to bounce back and reclaim their footing in the Big West standings.
