In its last remaining game before Big West play begins, the UCSB women’s basketball team travels to CSU Bakersfield today still searching for its first win.
With their only win this season coming in an exhibition game nearly two months ago, the Gauchos have gone 0-12 to start the year. The Roadrunners meanwhile have gotten off to an impressive 10-4 start.
While Santa Barbara has come close to getting its first win on several occasions, its struggles have only gotten worse with the conference season getting closer and closer to commencing. In their last four outings, the Gauchos have been outscored by an average of 32.75 points per game. They were also held under 50 points for every game during that stretch.
The Gauchos’ balanced offensive attack is led by sophomore point guard Onome Jemerigbe with team-highs of 7.7 ppg and 39.7 percent shooting.
Freshman guard Makala Roper has provided a strong punch off the bench, knocking down 17 of the the team’s 27 three-pointers this season on 30.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. As a team, UCSB is shooting just 30.7 percent from the field compared to 45 percent by its opponents.
The lack of offense on the Gauchos’ side does not bode well for them going up against a strong offensive team in Bakersfield. The Roadrunners have scored under 50 points just one time this season, building up a solid average of 72.6 points a game.
Before its most recent loss to Cal Poly, Bakersfield had won four-straight. A stifling defense has the Roadrunners averaging 21.43 forced turnovers a game, while they only average 13.93 turnovers themselves.
While four players average double-digits, senior guard Tyonna Outland leads the way with 18.8 points per game. Junior forward Batabe Zempare has been a dominant force on the inside, averaging nearly a double-double at 10.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Sharpshooting senior guard/forward Dajy Vines scores 15 points a game on an incredibly efficient 57.1 percent from the field and 50 percent on threes.
One thing UCSB does have going for it against a tough opponent is its improved play on the road. The Gauchos have shot higher percentages in every category while turning the ball over less when they have played away from home. They also average more points, steals, and blocks on the road.
The game is set to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. at the Icardo Center.