Nov 15, 2003

Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - Kristen Mann scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds as No. 18 UC Santa Barbara beat San Diego 82-44 in the opening round of the preseason women's NIT on Saturday.

Lisa Willett added 13 points for the Gauchos, who extended their home winning streak to 24 - the second-longest active streak in the nation behind top-ranked Connecticut.

Lindsay Helvey led San Diego with nine points, and Marta Menuez had eight points and 11 rebounds.

UCSB jumped out to a 43-18 halftime lead after a 27-5 run led by Mann and Willett. Mann and Willett each scored 10 points in the first half as the Gauchos outrebounded the Toreros 27-14.

UCSB forward Kate Bauman left with seven minutes to go in the first half after she sprained her right ankle. Forward Brandy Richardson suffered a concussion during pre-game warmups when she collided with another player and didn't play.

The Gauchos host Utah on Monday in the second round of the preseason NIT.