UC Santa Barbara opened its 2026-27 women’s basketball season with a 103-26 rout of UC Santa Cruz, powered by strong team depth and four freshmen. Sarah Heyn led the Gauchos with 17 points in her collegiate debut.

By the Numbers
  • 103-26: Final score.
  • 17 points: Heyn’s team-high in her first college game.
  • 61.7%: UCSB’s overall shooting percentage.
  • 56%: UCSB’s shooting percentage from 3-point range.
State of Play
  • The Gauchos built a 51-15 halftime lead and outscored Santa Cruz 27-3 in the fourth quarter.
  • UCSB had six players reach double figures, including freshman Karisma Flores, who scored 14 in her debut.
What's Next

UCSB heads to Pepperdine on Thursday, Nov. 5, for a 5 p.m. matchup.

Bottom Line

A dominant opener showcased UCSB’s scoring depth and freshman contributions, giving the Gauchos an emphatic start before their first road test.