Santa Barbara returns to form and wins title

After dominating the Big West Conference for the last 13 years, a two-year absence from the NCAA tournament was long enough for UC Santa Barbara.

Led by Jessica Wilson’s 16 points, the Gauchos earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with a 74-59 victory against UC Davis in the Big West Conference tournament championship game Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Wilson, the conference player of the year, was selected the tournament MVP. She also had seven rebounds.

“I’m so happy that we got back here,” Wilson said. “It means so much because the last two years have been heartbreaking. This year, we didn’t get heartbroken and I’m glad that we won.”

Santa Barbara (23-7) thwarted UC Davis’ attempt to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since competing for the Division II championship in 1999.

Five different players scored for the Gauchos as they outscored the Aggies, 17-2, to break a 42-42 tie early in the second half and take control of the game.

Second-seeded UC Davis (19-11), playing in its first season of Division I and first in the conference, likely will continue its season in the 48-team NIT.

All-Big West first-team selection Jessica Campbell had a game-high 25 points for Davis, which was the only team to beat Santa Barbara during league play.