UCSB shoots 26%, but wins

UC Irvine’s road to the Big West Tournament title game nearly became

even more wide open when University of the Pacific almost upset No. 1

seed UC Santa Barbara Thursday afternoon.

The Gauchos, the Big West Tournament defending champions, defeated

Pacific, 53-44, despite shooting a season-low 26%.

UCSB will face fourth-seeded Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in a

semifinal tonight at 6.

“We dodged a bullet,” said UCSB Coach Bob Williams, whose team was

13 of 50 from the field. “Hopefully we did get it out of our system.

We’re very fortunate to advance. You thank your lucky stars when you

shot 26% and win the game.”

The Gauchos overcame a horrible first half, when they shot 16.7%

and trailed, 21-16.

But, UCSB caught fire in the second half with a barrage of

three-pointers, hitting four straight to ignite a 14-2 run and led,

36-31 with 11:33 left. UCSB junior guard Brandon Fullove, the Big

West Player of the Year who scored a game-high 20 points, nailed a

trey for a 44-37 lead with 1:43 left, virtually ending the game.

-- Steve Virgen