UC Santa Barbara Goes Dancing In San Diego

Files associated with this release:
2009 WBB NCAA Bracket
Week 19 WBB Release

This year’s berth into the NCAA Tournament extends the Gauchos’ posteseason streak to 14 (11 NCAA, 3 WNIT).

The Big West regular season and tournament champion, UC Santa Barbara, is headed to San Diego, Calif., for the NCAA First and Second Rounds as the No. 15 seed.  The Gauchos drew No. 2 Stanford in the first round of the Berkeley Region.  The Gauchos and Cardinal tangle in the second half of a doubleheader that begins at 5:00 p.m. at Cox Arena Saturday, March 21 with the winner advancing to face either No. 7 DePaul or No. 10 San Diego State in Monday’s second round.

UC Santa Barbara (22-9, 15-1) advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning its second-straight Big West Women’s Basketball Tournament to claim the conference’s automatic bid.  The Gauchos defeated Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly to collects its 13th tournament championship in school history.  This year’s berth into the NCAA Tournament extends the Gauchos’ posteseason streak to 14 (11 NCAA, 3 WNIT).
   
Led by seniors Jenna Green and Lauren Pedersen, UC Santa Barbara posted its 12th 20-plus win season in 14 years.  Pedersen owns a team-high 13.0 scoring average, while Green tops the Gauchos squad with a 5.9 rebound average and league-best .540 field goal percentage.  At the helm of the UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball program is first-year coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
   
Entering the postseason riding a five-game win streak, UC Santa Barbara faces Stanford for the first time since the 2007 season.  The Cardinal, who advances to postseason play after capturing both the Pac-10 regular season and tournament titles, owns a 9-1 advantage over the Gauchos.  UC Santa Barbara’s lone win against Stanford was a 62-61 victory back in 1977.