Friday, January 29, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. Cal Poly Mustangs

The Mustangs got ran out of the building by the Gauchos and the Gauchos ran away with the contest by winning 80-57 for a Blue-Green Rivalry win. James Nunnally scored 20 points while Orlando Johnson scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.


The Gauchos got out to a hot start by taking a 17-7 lead 6 minutes into the game. Cal Poly responded though to cut the lead to 17-14. Then the game got out of control when UCSB went on on a 13-0 run to take a 30-14 lead. The halftime score was 38-18.


Here is what Bob Williams to say about the first half. "Our defense got us going in the first half. We did a great job of closing out on them and contesting their shots. They are a good 3 point shooting team and we knew we would have to stop that if we wanted to win."


The Mustangs shot 26.1% from three point land, 6-23.


UCSB got out to a hot start in the second half on a 24-9 run and at one point in the game, it was 62-27, a 35 point lead.


Cal Poly ended the game on a 30-18 run. It was ambitious but come on, it didn't matter.


Lorenze Keeler had 20 points for the farmers.


Jaime Serna had 12 points for the Gauchos and finally Sam Phippen actually played and he made the most of it by scoring 8 points and hauling in 5 rebounds.


UCSB got 1 point in the Blue-Green Rivalry.


UCSB takes on CS-Northridge tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Northridge.


Go Gauchos!

Stats:
Attendance: 3,066
Free Throw %: CP-68.0 UCSB-78.3
Steals: CP-4 UCSB-11



James Nunnally


Sunday, January 24, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. Cal State Fullerton

As a legend of Gauchos past was being honored, two future legends were being born. Orlando Johnson made a game tying three at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime where the Gauchos won 85-80 over the Titans. James Nunnally also scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, 15 points of which came in the first half.

The Gauchos led 51-35 with 15 minutes to go but the Titans went on a 37-18 run to take the lead 72-69 with 18 seconds to go.

Then the Gauchos brought the ball up the court, nobody could get an open look, so Orlando Johnson got a screen from Lucas Devenney, then nailed a three pointer while being double teamed in the corner to send it to OT.

The Gauchos then came out ready to play in the OT. Wait, I mean James Powell (14 points) came to play.


After CSF's Jacques Streeter missed a three pointer, the Gauchos came roaring back the other way and then James Powell swished a three at the top of the key. Then on the next Titan possession, James Powell got a steal and then made a easy lay-up.

Devon Pelter, who had 21 points for CSF, made a three to get the game to 77-75 but OJ took it strong to the rack and pushed the advantage to 79-75. Fullerton never got closer and the Gauchos after blowing a huge lead won 85-80.

The Gauchos play one more game at The Thunderdome this month and take on central coast rival Cal Poly on Thursday. Cal Poly is 5-2 in conference play too.

Go Gauchos!

Key Stats:
Attendance: 2,222
Rebounds: CSF-40 UCSB-35
FG %: CSF-45.8 UCSB-50.o

The "Legend of the Dome" was Carrick DeHart. Check the latest post to see his biography.




Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Legend of the Dome WHO WILL IT BE?

On Saturday, the 2nd place Gauchos will take on the Cal State Fullerton Titans at 7 p.m. in The Thunderdome. Prior to the game, UCSB Athletics will unveil the first Men's Basketball "Legend of the Dome." The "Legend's of the Dome" are former UCSB Athletes who played in the T-Dome. They captured the fans hearts and won championships. Who will it be? A scoring machine? A slayer of the great UNLV? We will see on Saturday. So come on out. But first, I have a prediction who will be the first "Legend of the Dome." One more will be presented on February 13th vs. Long Beach State; 4 p.m., TV: FSN WEST.

In my opinion, the two legends could be brought to four. First, the greatest Gaucho of all-time, Brian Shaw. Brian Shaw played two years here and was an instant legend. In 1987 and 1988, he was named an All-American. In 1988, he was named the Big West Player of the Year. He was named to the Big West All-Decade team in 1989. He posted the only five triple-doubles in school history. He even had his #22 jersey retired. He was then drafted by the Celtics in the first round and was named to the 1989 All-Rookie Team. He is now an assistant coach for the Lakers.

The next hopeful, Carrick DeHart. Carrick was a three time All Big West player, 1987 Big West Freshman of the Year, All-American in 1990, and 1990 All-District. He is in the Top 10 of twelve major categories in the UCSB record books. Lead the Gauchos to 2 NCAA Tournaments and 1 NIT. He signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics.

Eric McArthur is the third hopeful. Eric was All-Big West 1st Team in 1990, All-American in 1990, All-District in 1990, and All-Big West 2nd Team in 1989. He is the school record for shot blocks and rebounds in the single season category, career category, and single game category.

The final hopeful, scoring machine Alex Harris. In his final two seasons, Alex Harris averaged 20.7 ppg and is now the schools All-Time leading scorer. In 2008, he was named Big West Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Big West. He was All-League three times and led the Gauchos to the 2008 NIT.

Some outsiders are Chris Devine, Lucius Davis, and Mark Hull.

So come to The Thunderdome and see the "Legend of the Dome" for yourself.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. UC Riverside

Every one's favorite #21 got it done last night. James Nunnally scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half to lead the Gauchos to a 63-56 win over the last place Highlanders.
Nunnally was benched to start the second half because he tried to dunk it with time expiring. He made the dunk but just a second too late. But with five minutes wasted in the half, and Riverside getting a one point lead, Nunnally came in. He had an amazing put back dunk, a hammer dunk, and then drained a three. He was hot.

The star of the first half was Will Brew. He had 11 points in the half which included three 3's.

The score at the half was 32-23.

With Riverside down, Kyle Austin got banging down low in the post. He went to town and Riverside took a lead with 14:48 to go.

Kyle Austin led the Highlanders with 25 points. A game high.

Orlando Johnson also had 16 for the Gauchos who will have a week off and then next Saturday play host to the 3rd place Cal State Fullerton Titans.

Go Gauchos!!

Key Notes:
Technical Fouls-Jim Wooldridge, UCR Head Coach
Points off Turnovers- UCR:8 UCSB:22
Records- UCR: 7-10, 1-4 UCSB: 9-7, 4-2


Sunday, January 10, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball Homestand

Well, the Gauchos are hot and they stayed hot this weekend at the Thunderdome. On Friday night in front of a live television audience and a close to capacity crowd, the Gauchos destroyed UC Davis 68-47.

Then in a battle for first place, the Gauchos came out victorious vs. Pacific in a foul fueled 68-67 win.

UC Davis at UCSB Recap

On Friday night, ESPNU came to town and the fans also came out to see UCSB take on the Aggies of Davis. The fans were not dissapointed. James Nunnally had 17 points and 8 rebounds while Jaime Serna had 14, Orlando Johnson had 12, and James "JPeezy" Powell had 10.

The Gauchos got off to a quick start leading 18-9, but the Aggies ended the half on a 17-8 run. Joe Harden of UC Davis made a miracle shot from 30 feet to tie it 26 all at the half.

Then with the game close for the first 12 minutes of the first half, the Gauchos blew it wide open by finishing the game on a 23-7 run in the final 8 minutes which included a monstorous James Nunnally dunk!

The 'Chos made 18 of their 25 second half shots while making 58% percent of their shots the entire game.

UC Davis at UCSB Notes:
Attendance: 4,282
TV: ESPNU

Pacific at UCSB Recap

Then in the most important game this week in Big West basketball, the Gauchos in a heated, tense game slipped past the Tigers to win 68-67. Orlando Johnson had 24 points and James Nunnally had another great game with 20 points.

The game got off to a really slow start with only 5 combined points scored by the two teams. Then the teams started heating up but the Gauchos finished the half strong with a Nunnally three to make it 32-23 at the half.
The Gaucho lead got to 51-38 on a three pointer by Orlando with 13 points but the Tigers would rally. They cut the deficit to 63-60 on a 3 pointer with 2:30 to go in the game.
Then after the bucket, two technical fouls were called on the Tigers with one a player throwing a ball at Nunnally's head and then Bob Thomason, UOP coach, running on to the court screaming at referees. With the momentum turning and the Gaucho lead at 7, the game looked like it was slipping away from the Tigers. The went on a 7-1 run and with 7 seconds left had a chance to win. They brought the ball up the court but with .7 seconds to go, UCSB's Will Brew took a charge to seal the victory.
The Gauchos improved to 8-6, 3-1 Big West. The Tigers dropped to 9-6, 2-1.
On Thursday, UCSB takes on arch rival Long Beach State in Long Beach and then on the 16th, UCSB plays host to the UCR Highlanders.

GO GAUCHOS!


Orlando Johnson

James Nunnally

Monday, January 4, 2010

UCSB Gauchos at UC Riverside

First off, I want to apologize for not making a post for a whole month. The blogger system forgot my password and wouldn't let me in. Now, lets get to business.

In a must win game for the Gauchos, the Gauchos took care of biz and came from behind on the road to defeat UC Riverside 57-53.

James Nunnally recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Orlando (OJ) Johnson scored 17 points. Greg Somogyi had another solid game with 6 points and 5 boards. James Powell chipped in 11 points.

The Gauchos got off to a slow start early by only scoring 14 points at halftime and being down 23-14. They shot 19% in the first half.

Early in the second half, the Gauchos got smoking. I mean get the fire hydrant. They ran off a 21-4 run with James Nunnally sinking threes and OJ making it rain with pretty jumpers.

Riverside got the lead back to 41-39 on a Rudy Meo three from downtown. Riverside got the lead to 5 in a three minute span but with 4 minutes OJ made a shot.

It would stay neck and neck till 53-53 but then OJ got a steal, made his free throws, and the Gauchos pulled out the tough road win.

Kyle Austin had 20 points and 8 rebounds for the Highlanders.

Catch the Gauchos this Friday at the Thunderdome vs. UC Davis on ESPNU at 8 p.m.
GO GAUCHOS!!!