Women's Basketball Wins 60-54 Overtime Thriller At UCSB

Thursday, February 11

Santa Barbara, CA

7:00 PM

UC Riverside

UC Santa Barbara

Women's Basketball Wins 60-54 Overtime Thriller At UCSB

2/11/2010 6:08:20 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score - UC Riverside 60, UC Santa Barbara 54

Santa Barbara, CA - The UC Riverside women's basketball team moved into a tie for first place in the Big West standings after its 60-54 overtime win at UC Santa Barbara on Thursday evening at the Thunderdome. The Highlanders outscored the Gauchos 11-5 in the overtime period to earn the road win, improving to 11-13 overall and 8-3 in conference play.

With losses by UC Davis and Cal Poly in other Big West action on the night, UCR moves in a tie for first place with the Mustangs at 8-3, while the Aggies are a half-game behind at 7-3.

The Highlanders led 49-47 after a free throw by Amber Cox with 0:14 seconds remaining in regulation, but UCSB's Mekia Valentine tied the game after a layup just seven seconds later. UCR had an opportunity to win in regulation, but Alyssa Morris missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with five seconds to go, sending the game into overtime.

The Gauchos (8-15, 5-6) scored three points to open the overtime period, but two Highlander buckets and two free throws put them up three, 55-52, with 1:38 to go. A jumper by Emilie Johnson cut the lead to one, 55-54, with 1:15 remaining, but UCR hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the game as they held UCSB scoreless the last minute of play.

Cox (pictured) led four Highlanders in double figure scoring with 16 points while Rhaya Neabors added 13, Brittany Waddell had 11, and Rheya Neabors had 11. UCSB's Valentine led all players with a double-double 26 points and 22 rebounds.

UC Riverside shot just 33.9 percent (19-of-56) from the field for the game, but held the Gauchos to just 33.8 percent shooting (23-of-68), including 7.1 percent (1-of-14) from three-point range. UCSB out rebounded the Highlanders 49-42, but both teams tallied identical totals in assists (14) and turnovers (14).

In the first half, neither team led by more than four points as there were eight lead changes and seven tie scores through the first 20 minutes of play.

The Highlanders opened the second period by turning their 26-23 halftime deficit into a 28-26 advantage. UCR then pushed their lead out to six at two occasions throughout the half, the last coming at 41-35 with 9:24 to go, but UC Santa Barbara rallied for five straight points to tie the game at 41 all with 5:05 remaining.

UCR then took a 44-41 lead around the four minute mark, but UCSB's lone long ball on the night tied the game at 44 with 2:36 to go. After both teams traded buckets and were tied at 46, a Waddell jumper put the Highlanders up 48-46 with 0:42 seconds remaining.

Four seconds later, Valentine hit 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to bring the Gauchos to within one, 48-47. Cox also went 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 14 seconds left to give UCR a 49-47 lead before Valentine's layup sent the game into overtime.

The Highlanders continue Big West play with a crucial 4:00 pm contest at Cal Poly on Saturday, Feb. 13 in San Luis Obispo. Fans not able to attend the game may listen to the play-by-play as the Voice of the Highlanders, Ghizal Hasan, calls the game beginning at 3:55 pm right here at gohighlanders.com.