Sunday, February 28, 2010

UCSB falls to Cal Poly, SLO 60 - 57

The UCSB Men's basketball team was defeated by Cal. Poly, San Luis Obispo 60 - 57 at Mott Gym. The loss snapped the Gauchos' (17 - 9, 11 - 4) six-game winning streak, while the Mustangs improved to 11 - 17 overall, 7 - 8 in the Big West. Orlando Johnson was the only Gaucho in double figures with 21 points, while James Nunnally pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, followed by Jaime Serna and Johnson with seven boards each.

UCSB lost the game by converting only 34.0% of their field goals and 56.5% of their free throws. The Gauchos were also out-rebounded by the shorter Mustang lineup 46 - 39. The Mustangs trailed most of the game, before making their final push near the end of the game by creating turnovers and hitting their perimeter shots.

Charles Anderson led a balanced Mustang attack with 15 points, including five 3-pointers. Shawn Lewis had 14, followed by Lorenzo Keeler with 12, and David Hanson with 11. Hanson dominated the boards with 17 rebounds, while Anderson chipped in seven.

Despite the loss, the Gauchos return to the Thunderdome still in first place in the Big West Conference, as they close out the regular season against UC-Irvine on Wednesday, March 3 at 7 pm. It will be the last home game at the Thunderdome for seniors James Powell and Paul Roemer, who will be saluted prior to the game.

UCSB has clinched at least a 2nd seed for the Big West Tournament in Anaheim, ensuring them a bye into the semifinals on Friday, March 12.

Box Score

UCSB vs. SLO in-game photos

Click on photos to enlarge.





UCSB vs. SLO pre-game photos

Click on photos to enlarge.






All-Gaucho family.

Pre-game warmups.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Post-CSUN interview with Coach Bob Williams

UCSB Men's basketball coach Bob Williams dissects the Gauchos after a Big West Conference victory over CSUN at the Thunderdome:

This Week in Gaucho Sports, Feb. 25

This is a nice weekly segment from the UCSB Athletics Department from February 25, It includes upcoming games and events, as well as highlights from the CSUN game and other Gaucho sports:

Thursday, February 25, 2010

UCSB 73 - CSF 65 highlights

These are highlights of UCSB's victory of CSF 73 - 65 in Fullerton State's Titan Gym, courtesy of Keep Digging Productions.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Gauchos hold on to defeat CSUN 74 - 69

The UCSB Men's basketball team built a 26-point lead in the second half, before Cal. State-Northridge staged a furious rally that just fell short 74 - 69 in favor of the Gauchos (17 - 8, 11 - 3). Orlando Johnsonn led a balanced attack with 19 points, followed by James Powell's 17 points, including some clutch free throws to ice the game. Jaime Serna and James Nunnally chipped in 15 points each. Serna had six rebounds, followed by Nunnally's five boards, while Johnson had a team-high seven assists.

The Matadors (10 - 18, 5 - 8) were led by Kenny Daniels with 23 points, followed by Mark Hill with 12, and Willie Galick with 11. Daniels also had a game-high nine rebounds, while Vinnie McGhee dished out four assists.

The Gauchos built up the formidable lead with good shot selection and crisp passing on offense, while creating numerous Matador turnovers on defense. However, midway through the second half, the Matadors turned the tables on the Gauchos by utilizing a fullcourt press, causing numerous Gaucho turnovers while reducing the deficit to two points. James Powell closed the door on the rally by making key free throws as time expired.

The physical nature of the game caused both teams to play sloppy at times, as the Matadors committed 26 turnovers, and the Gauchos committing 24 of their own. A total of 28 personal fouls were called on the Matadors, with the Gauchos committing 27. But the win enabled the Gauchos to remain in first place in the Big West conference standings heading into Saturday's showdown with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The game will be played at Mott Gym on February 27 at 7 pm.

Box Score

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

UCSB recruit Troy Leaf sets scoring record

UCSB signee Troy Leaf set the San Diego Section career scoring record of 2,982 points. The 6'3" senior point guard from Foothills Christian injured his shoulder after scoring 21 points in a 74 - 71 overtime loss to Hoover.

http://619sports.net/4805/prep-athlete-of-the-week-troy-leaf/

Orlando Johnson wins BW POW award




Orlando Johnson won his second Big West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors after leading the Gauchos to a pair of victories over Cal. St.-Fullerton and Fresno State.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/022210aab.html

UCSB 64 - FSU 60, 2/20/10 (Part 2)

This is video footage of the 2nd half action (part 2) of the ESPN Bracket Buster game between the Gauchos and Bulldogs at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHjG1peEx88

UCSB 64 - FSU 60, 2/20/10 (Part 1)

This is video footage of the 2nd half action of the ESPN Bracket Buster game between the Gauchos and Bulldogs at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrkhPDoa1FE

Sunday, February 21, 2010

FSU post-game

Gaucho hoopsters JP, JJ, OJ, and Nunnz chillin' after a victory over Fresno State in the ESPN Bracket Buster series. Click on photos to enlarge.




UCSB defeats Fresno State in ESPN Bracket Buster 64 - 60


Click on photo to enlarge.

The UCSB Men's basketball team extended their road winning streak by defeating the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Save Mart Center 64 - 60. The Gauchos (16 - 8) recorded their fourth road victory--and fifth overall, in a non-conference match up against the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) foe as part of the ESPN Bracket Buster series.

Orlando Johnson led the victory with 23 points, including a monster dunk in the second half. James Powell chipped in 10 points, including two free throws near the end of the game to clinch the win. James Nunnally led the Gauchos on the boards with seven rebounds, and Jon Pastorek contributed four assists.

However, it was Greg Somogyi's record-setting eight blocked shots that set the tone for the game. The Bulldogs (13 - 14) continued to challenge Somogyi in the paint, despite being rejected early and often. Somogyi also deflected or altered many shots when patrolling the lane, while managing to not foul out. Somogyi had a pair of two-handed flushes and a clever give-and-go assist to Will Brew, combining power and finesse. Somogyi's recent improvement bodes well for the Gauchos as they approach the all-important Big West Tournament in Anaheim next month.

Fresno State was led by Mike Ladd's and Paul George's 16 and 13 points, respectively. Sylvester Seay had eight rebounds while George grabbed seven. However, both post players (Seay and George) were plagued with foul problems, which limited their minutes and effectiveness. Credit the suffocating Gaucho defense for this victory.

The Gauchos resume Big West Conference play against Cal. State, Northridge on Wedneday, February 24 at 7 pm, in a game at the Thunderdome.

Box Score

Thursday, February 18, 2010

UCSB completes sweep of CSF 73 - 65

The UCSB Men's basketball team completed a regular season sweep of Cal. State, Fullerton by winning in Titan Gym 73 - 65. The Gauchos (15 - 8, 10 - 3) remained in first place in the Big West Conference, one-half game ahead of UOP, who also won over Long Beach State 74 - 52 yesterday.

Orlando Johnson led the Gauchos to a 35 - 34 halftime lead with 12 points, while James Nunnally led the Gauchos with 14 of his 18 points in the second half. Jaime Serna also scored 11 of his 13 points in the decisive second half, despite back spasms. Johnson led the Gauchos with eight rebounds, followed by Nunnally's 7 caroms.

But the shot that turned the tide for the Gauchos may have been Justin Joyner's 3-point basket late in the second half, his first points of the season. It was indicative of Joyner's increased playing time and comfort level after returning from a redshirt year due to a broken wrist, delayed further by a severely sprained ankle. The Gauchos executed their halfcourt offense well, finished on fast break opportunities, while still applying their suffocating defense on the perimeter.

The Titans (13 - 12, 7 - 6) were led by the trio of Gerard Anderson, Aaron Thompson, and Orane Chin with 14 points each. Jer'Vaughn Johnson and Thompson led the Titans with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively, while Jacques Streeter handed out five assists.

The Gauchos continue their road trip by playing Fresno State Saturday, February 20 at 7:30 pm. The match up is part of ESPN's Bracket Buster series.

Box Score

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Gauchos squeak by the 49ers 64 - 62

The UCSB Men's basketball team retained first place in the Big West Conference regular season race by edging Long Beach State 64 - 62 in the Thunderdome. The Gauchos (14 - 8, 9 - 3) were led by Jaime Serna's season-high 17 points and Will Brew's 12 points, all in the first half. Orlando Johnson chipped in 11 points, but more importantly, he assisted on eight Gaucho baskets. James Nunnally led the Gauchos with seven rebounds, followed by Greg Somogyi with six boards. Somogyi led a stingy Gaucho defense with five blocked shots, and altered many more in the paint.

The 49ers (12 - 13, 6 - 6) were led by Stephan Gilling's 17 points, including five 3-point baskets. TJ Robinson and Casper Ware had 12 points each, with Robinson pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds, and Ware dishing out six assists.

The tightly-contested game had five ties and seven lead changes, and came down to the final possession. Ware committed a turnover driving the lane, and Nunnally recovered the ball as time expired.

Former Gaucho great Brian Shaw was honored as a "Legend of the Dome" in absentia before the game.

The Gauchos travel to Cal. State, Fullerton to take on the Titans on Wednesday, February 17 for a 7 pm game.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Brian Shaw to be honored as "Legend of the Dome"

Brian Shaw, former basktball Gaucho great from 1986 - 1988, will be honored as a "Legend of the Dome" in the Thunderdome at halftime of a Big West Conference match up between UCSB and the Long Beach State 49ers. Game time is 4 pm, Saturday, February 13.

http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=20224

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Johnson wins Big West Player of the Week

UCSB sophomore guard Orlando Johnson won the Big West Conference Men's basketball Player of the Week after two outstanding games against UOP and UC-Davis. Johnson averaged 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocked shots for the two games.

Johnson Wins BW POW

Monday, February 8, 2010

UCSB sweeps UCD 81 - 77

The UCSB Men's basketball team hung on to defeat UC-Davis 81 - 77 to complete a regular season sweep of the Aggies. The Gauchos (13 - 8, 8 - 3) capitalized on a torrid shooting night, making 11-of-17 3-point shots, including their first seven. James Nunnally led the Gauchos with 24 points and six rebounds, while adding four assists. Orlando Johnson added 15 points, while Jordan Weiner and Will Brew chipped in 11 points each. Justin Joyner dished out eight assists while Johnson had 3 blocked shots.

Despite UCSB's hot shooting, the Aggies (9 - 13, 5 - 5) managed to close the final gap to four points after trailing by 19 points (72 - 53) with 3:39 minutes left in the game. Dominic Calegari led the Aggies with 20 points, followed by Joe Harden with 19 and Mark Payne with 18. Harden also led the Aggies with 12 rebounds and seven assists.

UCSB hosts the Long Beach State 49ers on Saturday, February 13 at the Thunderdome. Game time is 4 pm and will be broadcast by Fox Sports Prime Ticket.

UCSB will also unveil the second men's basketball "Legends of the Dome" at halftime.

Box Score

Friday, February 5, 2010

UCSB upsets UOP 61 - 48

The UCSB Men's basketball team completed a regular season sweep of first-place University of Pacific by beating the Tigers 61 - 48 at the Alex G. Spanos Center. Orlando Johnson had a career-high 28 points in leading the second-place Gauchos (12 - 8, 7 - 3) past the Tigers (14 - 7, 7 - 2). James Nunnally added 19 points, while sharing the rebounding lead with Johnson and Jaime Serna with six each. Johnson also led the Gaucho defense with three steals, and it was on defense that the Gauchos shined.

The Gauchos limited UOP's offense to shooting 29.4% from the field, and 22.2% behind the 3 point line. Allen Huddleston was the only Tiger in double figures with 10 points, while Sam Willard had 7 rebounds and 3 steals to lead the Tigers in those categories.

A tough defense and good shot selection enabled the Gauchos to snap UOP's 16-game home winning streak at the Spanos Center. The Gauchos travel to play UC-Davis Saturday, February 6 at 7 pm.

Box Score