SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—It was not pretty but the University of Idaho women's basketball team pulled out its first victory of the young 2014-15 season on Monday night. The Vandals who started the game on a 14-2 run squeaked by UCSB at the Thunderdome, 47-44.

Idaho (1-1) opened with senior Stacey Barr scoring the team's first 11 points. The Vandals looked to be in control in the game's first 13 minutes, holding a 12 point lead at 14-2. The Gauchos switched up their defensive look going into a press that put Idaho into a tail spin. UCSB went on a 15-0 run to take the lead with 2:42 left in the first period. A Christina Salvatore three stopped the bleeding for the Vandals, closing the half with a 17-15 advantage.

“[UCSB's press] totally turned the game,” head coach Jon Newlee said following the win. “I was disappointed with how we handled that pressure, because we practiced against it and knew it was coming. For the most part, this same group of players have been running that press break for two years now. We talked at half about handling the pressure and getting back on the attack.”

UCSB (0-2) continued with its hot hand to start the second half, jumping out to a 26-17 lead in the first 4:57. This time it was sophomore Agueda Trujillo, making her first appearance of the season, who put an end to the Gaucho run. Trujillo's layup with 15:03 to play got the Vandals offense on the board after starting the half shooting 0-for-3. Two Salvatore three's cut the deficit to 28-25 with 12:22 left to play.

“Agueda is an offensive player for sure,” Newlee commented. “She shot the ball well in shoot-around. She was shooting better today so she got her shot. She really gave us a spark off the bench tonight.”

The two sides traded baskets on the next few positions. Down 34-29 Trujillo drilled a shot from beyond the arch, making it a one possession game with 9:05 to play. The Gaucho's would regain the five point margin off a pair of Kristine Brance free throws, before Barr hit two from the line with 6:55 to play. A UCSB turnover from Jasmine Ware led to Salvatore's fourth three of the game, tying the score at 37. The Silver and Gold gained a short-lived 39-37 lead before UCSB regained the advantage, 41-39.

Salvatore nailed her fifth three-point field goal of the game with 3:42 to play to push Idaho ahead 42-41. UCSB converted on the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity, but failed to hit the second shot. Karlee Wilson got trapped along the sideline heading up court, forcing Newlee to take timeout with 3:14 left on the clock. Out of the timeout Barr hit her second three of the game, boosting Idaho to a three point lead that would not be relinquished.

“I thought our kids showed a lot of heart,” Newlee expressed. “We got down in the second half and came back. Agueda really got things going and Christina shot the ball like she can. Defensively we did a fantastic job of executing our game plan. That is what won us this basketball game.”

The Gauchos got to within one with 2:23 to play. Barr added two more free-throws to regain the three-point advantage with 25 seconds remaining. UCSB failed to execute its initial play and called a timeout with six seconds on the clock. Jasmine Ware got a look for three before the buzzer sounded, but her shot fell short.

Barr finished the night with a game-high 20 points. Salvatore finished 5-of-10 from long range for 15 points. Trujillo led the bench in scoring with seven points in nine minutes. Wilson and Brooke Reilly rounded out the scoring for Idaho with three and two points, respectively. Ware led the way for UCSB with 14 points.

The Vandals outshot UCSB 34 percent to 30 percent. Idaho did a good job of eliminating second chances for the Gauchos totaling 27 defensive rebounds to their 11 offensive.

Idaho returns to Memorial Gym on Saturday for its home-opener. The Vandals welcome in San Diego for the 2 p.m. PT start. San Diego will be the second opponent this season that played in the post season last year. The Toreros won two WNIT games before losing to Washington in the Sweet 16.

Notes:
Idaho has now hit a three-point field goal in 201 consecutive games…Salvatore is has hit a three point shot in 15 straight contests…Barr is one three-pointer away from 200 on her career…Salvatore has now hit 185 three's in her career.