A 3-point attempt by UC Santa Barbara’s Kelsey Adrian gave what was the closest shot anyone had to knock the Mustangs off their high horse. But Adrian’s shot rimmed out at the buzzer and continued the one storyline the Mustangs have had all season.
They’re still undefeated
For the eighth time in a row, the Mustangs walked out of a Big West matchup as the victor Thursday night, beating UC Santa Barbara 54-51.
The eighth win ties a Division I program record for consecutive wins, which the Mustangs accomplished in 2006-07. It was also the first time the Mustangs handed the Gauchos a home loss in four years.
However, it was close to not happening at all.
The Gauchos started off with a 6-0 lead before the Mustangs responded with a 9-1 run, capped by a layup by guard Tamara Wells.
UC Santa Barbara then turned the tables with a run of its own and took an 18-13 lead on a layup by Nicole Nesbit with 5:58 left in the half.
The Mustangs were able to fight back to make it 24-23 advantage on a layup by center Molly Schlemer and made it 27-23 at the half with an Ashlee Burns 3-pointer.
Clancy’s jumper to open the second half gave Cal Poly a six-point lead, but then UC Santa Barbara gave the Mustangs the biggest scare of the night. The Gauchos went went ahead after a 13-0 run to make it 36-29 with 13:04.
The Mustangs climbed back and tied the game at 40-40 on a jump shot by center Abby Bloetscher with 8:31 left. UC Santa Barbara would take its final lead at 49-48 on a jumper by Johnson with 3:05 left, but Clancy hit a 3-pointer from the right side to put the Mustangs up two with 2:44 left.
Jonae Ervin made it a three point game when she hit the front end of a one and one at 1:56.
UC Santa Barbara cut the lead to one (52-51) when Johnson came up big once again with a clutch shot in the lane, but Clancy, once again, hit a jumper to put the game out of reach for the Gauchos.
Kayla Griffin and Clancy both racked up 15 points and Evrin scored nine points.
The Mustangs look to continue their hot streak next Thursday at UC Davis. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.