Year two of the Renee Jimenez coaching era has exceeded all expectations as the UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball team has rolled to a 12-2 record and solidified itself as a contender in the Big West Conference.
The Gauchos have built a formidable identity based on versatility, elite shooting, and grit that has paid dividends in close games. In their most recent victory over UC Davis on January 8, the Gauchos were without key contributors Maddie Naro and Skylar Burke due to injury, but they grinded out a 55-47 win that saddled the Aggies with their first Big West conference loss.
“I feel like the close games we had early in the non-conference really set us up for a game like tonight where you have to find different ways to win, find different ways to score, and get other players to step up,” said Jimenez, who captured her 300th coaching victory with the win. “On a night when you are not shooting well, you have to be able to defend.”