Feb. 10, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara women's basketball team atoned for a lackluster opening period with a dominating second-half performance Thursday night to defeat Cal Poly 78-54 in the Thunderdome.

With their fourth consecutive home victory, the Gauchos improved to 13-8 overall and remain in a first-place tie in the Big West Conference at 10-2. Meanwhile the Mustangs' losing streak reached six straight as the visitors fell to 9-11 and 3-9. UCSB has now defeated its Central Coast rival eight straight times.

Trailing 34-28 at the break, Santa Barbara outscored CP 24-4 over the first nine minutes of the second half with juniors Karena Bonds and Autumn Nichols each tallying seven points during that run. The home team's cushion never dipped below 11 points and grew as wide as 75-49 with 1:51 to play when sophomore guard Erin O'Bryan nailed a three-pointer to cap an 11-0 spurt. The Gauchos shot an even 50% in the final period, while their 50 second-half points were their most this season following intermission.

The first period was a much different story, with Cal Poly opening an early 16-8 lead thanks to Sparkle Anderson's driving layup at the 11:31 mark. UCSB responded with a 12-2 run, and later found itself with a 28-22 advantage following the second of senior Kate Bauman's two consecutive baskets. Those would prove to be the final points of the half for Santa Barbara, as the Mustangs closed with a 14-0 spurt spanning 5:40 that included two more Anderson baskets. It marked the third straight contest that the Gauchos have trailed entering intermission; they have won the last two under such scenarios.

O'Bryan led all scorers and established a new career high of 15 points, while Nichols tallied 13 and senior guard Mia Fisher added 10. It was Nichols' third straight game scoring in double-figures, however UCSB senior All-America candidate Kristen Mann failed to reach the 10-point plateau for the first time in 20 contests this season. She finished with seven points to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds. Santa Barbara racked up a season-high 14 steals, four courtesy of senior forward Brandy Richardson.

Nicole Yarwasky was Cal Poly's top scorer with 10 points, followed by Anderson with nine. The visitors shot just 37.3% on the night and hindered their cause by committing 27 turnovers.

The Gauchos continue their three-game Big West homestand on Thursday, Feb. 17 when Pacific comes to town for a 7:00 p.m. showdown in the Thunderdome.