Atascadero's Donaghe leads Davis over UCSB

Posted: Mar 12, 2010 9:15 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Mar 12, 2010 9:15 PM

Donaghe leads UCD over UCSB in semifinals

Atascadero High graduate Haylee Donaghe helped lead UC Davis past UC Santa Barbara for a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies, the Big West regular season champions, beat UCSB 63-53 in the Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday.

Donaghe showed why she was named the Conference's Defensive Player of the Year. The senior guard collected six steals and poured in 12 points, including two key buckets to ice the game. With her help, the Aggies forced 29 turnovers in the game, including 19 in the first half.

"We've been working for this moment all season and we've made it. We're here, we're in the championship game now," said Donaghe. "It has not been an easy road but it's been so much fun. It's been the best season ever."

The Gauchos trailed 38-24 at the break and were down by as many as 15 in the second half. However, the UCSB women led two furious comebacks. A three pointer by Santa Ynez High graduate Ariana Gnekow, followed by a steal and layup by Meagan Williams brought UCSB to within two points, 53-51 with 3:11 left in the game. But Donaghe scored two big baskets inside to seal the deal.

UC Davis advanced to its second ever BWCT championship game. It also snapped the Gauchos 23 year streak of playing in the title game. UCSB had won 11 of the last 13 championships. UC Davis will play UC Riverside, who upset Cal Poly, in the tournament title game. It will air at 1pm on Fox Sports Prime Ticket on Saturday. ThE winner receives an automatic berth in to the NCAA Tournament.

Williams led the Gauchos with 17 points. UCSB outrebounded the Aggies 50-22, but committed 29 turnovers compared to just 12 by UC Davis.

Gnekow played 17 minutes for UCSB and finished with 3 points and 2 rebounds.
The Gauchos finish the season 15-17, while UC Davis improves to 21-9. This is the first season since the 1989-1990 season the Gauchos finished with an overall record under .500.