SANTA BARBARA, Calif - Four thousand three hundred eighty-two days. That's how long it took for the No. 15 Santa Barbara City College women's basketball team to earn another victory against conference rival Ventura College, as the Vaqueros defeated the Pirates, 70-55, on Wednesday.
With the win, Santa Barbara improved its record to 14-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play. However, this game was more important than many of the players may have realized.
"My team doesn't know what this win means to me personally, because we don't talk about the past, but I cannot be more proud of each player on this team for believing in us and our system," said head coach Sandrine Krul.
The last time the Vaqueros bested the Pirates was January 16, 2013, in a 70-67 game.
Wednesday's matchup was a tight game, with key players for Santa Barbara getting into foul trouble. After the first quarter, it was a tie game at 14-14.
The Vaqueros opened up a lead in the second quarter thanks to Kaylee Bosetti knocking down four 3-pointers, and went into the half with a 35-28 lead. "Kaylee Bosetti kept us on pace with her 17 first-half points," said Krul.
Ventura answered in the third quarter, narrowing the lead to 48-45. The Pirates attempted 12 free throws in the frame, converting nine attempts. Santa Barbara earned just two free throws in the quarter and missed both opportunities.
In the fourth quarter, the Vaqueros demonstrated their resiliency and cemented their lead down the stretch. Isis Poteet and Aariah Fox – each playing with four fouls – grabbed crucial rebounds and scored key baskets in the post to keep Santa Barbara in front.
"I'm very proud of our group for sticking to the game plan. That's exactly what you want in a conference game. The intensity for 40 minutes," said Krul. "We are second in the state for creating opponents' turnovers. And tonight we forced 38 turnovers."
Along with those turnovers, the Vaqueros recorded 23 steals as a team. Kaylee Lawson tallied five steals, Isis Poteet added four, and both Kaylee Bosetti and Amarisse Camargo contributed three steals.
"Our fourth-quarter press with Kaylee Lawson getting four steals in a row and we converted on the steals with Aariah and Isis going to work in the paint," said Krul.
Bosetti finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Poteet added 18 points, nine rebounds (four offensive), and four assists. Fox contributed nine points, nine rebounds (three offensive), two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Lawson added four blocks of her own to the defensive effort.
With many starters leading in the statistical categories, the bench played a key role in the win. "Also our bench again has been the catalyst with Siena Hoban's defensive energy and her on-ball defense was a difference maker in the second half," said Krul. "She had five points, five rebounds, and four assists; but what needs to be said, what doesn't show up on a stat sheet, is her defensive intensity that is contagious."
The Vaqueros play again on Saturday, Jan. 18, when they host L.A. Mission College in the Sports Pavilion at 3 p.m.
