CHAMPIONS!

UCSB Brings Home 14^th Big West Title With Win Over Long Beach

STEVEN WILSON

News-Press Correspondent

            ANAHEIM – After traveling roughly 127 miles to the Pyramid on the Long Beach State campus back in the middle of January, the fans left that game in disbelief. The coach was questioned. After that game the players hurried off the court with heads hung and tears in their eyes. It was hard for anyone to find anything positive to write or say about the Gauchos after they were blown out in a midseason contest at Long Beach State.

Sitting at 7-9 overall and 2-3 in the Big West, UCSB coach Carlene Mitchell knew what no one else did: her team would win a Big West Championship.

 “Honestly I just think that set it up for a greater story,” senior Emilie Johnson said. “When we were at that low point, I never stopped believing. I knew this team could do something special.”

The Gauchos pulled off their miraculous run through the playoffs as they were the first sixth-seeded team in Big West Tournament history to win the championship. UCSB would defeat none other than Long Beach state in the title game, 63-54, on Saturday afternoon at Honda Center.

Mitchell told her team all year long that UCSB would find itself on top come March if they bought in and just believed.

“I let a smile out before the final buzzer sounded and a few tears in the locker room because only these ladies in our small group know what we have gone through this year,” Mitchell said. “Probably to the world, (they have done) the impossible, but to me, it’s everything I expected when I took this job.”

Mitchell expected it, but the 49ers still had a surprise or two up their sleeve.

The Gauchos jumped out to a 16-10 lead 12 minutes into the game as Melissa Zornig earned three of her 12 total points. Long Beach would respond with a 9-1 run capped by a Hallie Meneses layup on a baseline drive.

Mary Ochiltree gave Long Beach its first lead since the opening basket with a 3-pointer and the 49ers led 20-19.

There was just enough time left before halftime for UCSB to get two free throws from Kirsten Tilleman to take a 21-20 lead into the break.

            Both teams had trouble making shots in the first half combining to shot just 28 percent from the floor. Johnson and fellow guards Nicole Nesbit and Melissa Zornig, who combined for 63 points in Friday’s semifinals victory, were a combined 1-for-13 in the first half of Saturday’s game.

“She taught us to never give up, and I think that this moment, right now, has proved it,” Zornig said of Mitchell. “This whole season, when we went through bad times or good times, she never gave up on the team and that gives us respect for her.”

Both teams struggled to score to start the final period, but with 12:21 left Zornig gave the Gauchos a 33-26 lead with another 3. Tilleman then stole a pass and Nesbit was off and running for an easy two the other way.

Long Beach responded quickly as they went on a 13-4 run. Alex Sanchez, a member of the All Big West freshman squad, started the run with a layup and a 3. Meneses capped the run with a 3 and gave Long Beach a 39-38 lead.

Two possessions later, UCSB went to a play they have run countless times this season. A high pick and roll using UCSB’s only two seniors. Johnson found Kelsey Adrian for an open 3 to take a 43-41 lead. UCSB would not look back, outscoring Long Beach 20-13 in the final 7:20.

Tilleman led all Gauchos with 16 points and 11 rebounds with eight of those on the offensive glass. For her efforts, she was awarded the tournament MVP.

“I wasn’t even thinking about awards like that,” she said. “It’s really just a reflection of my teammates and coaches. They really make it possible for anyone to step up on any night.”

Tilleman helped the Gauchos hold the 49ers’ leading scorer Tipesa Moorer scoreless.

The win gave UCSB a 5-0 record against the 49ers in the Big West Title game and afterwards, Mitchell flashbacked on a long first season. Looking directly at UCSB athletic director Mark Massari, she answered his main interview question from May – ‘could she cut down nets?’

            “Hopefully I answered that question for you,” Mitchell told Massari 11 months later with a net around her neck.

            Some players cried, some fell to the floor, all rejoiced, but for Johnson, it was still all too surreal.

“I really feel like I have come full circle, starting in freshman year and then sitting here right now,” said Johnson, who is the only current player with a Big West Title ring – earned in her freshman year. “I just get the chills thinking about everything and then reaching this moment. It’s an incredible experience – we’re going to work hard, we’re going to enjoy it and we’re going to continue to play Gaucho basketball.”