No. 1 UC Riverside (19-10, 12-2) – The Highlanders have reached the top of the Big West standings thanks to their defense, which ranks No. 1 in the conference, giving up only 59 points per game. UC Riverside is the defending Big West Tournament champion, beating UC Santa Barbara 59-58 in the conference final last year. Forward Kemie Nkele leads the team, averaging 16 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Those stats, plus being on the first place team, was enough for Nkele to be named Big West Player of the Year. Against LBSU: UCR W 58-43 (@ UCR), UCR W 52-43 (@ LBSU).
No. 2 UC Santa Barbara (17-12, 10-4) – UCSB finished the season leading the conference in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. Junior center Jenna Green was named to the first-team All-Big West for the second year in a row. Junior guard Jessica Wilson was named to the second team and forward Jordan Franey was named Big West Freshman of the Year. If the championship game comes down to the two top seeds, it should be noted that UC Riverside won both matchups against the Gauchos. Against LBSU: UCSB W 71-60 (@ UCSB), UCSB W 69-55 (@ LBSU).
No. 3 Cal Poly (14-13, 9-5) – Cal Poly recently had their longest winning streak in 24 years, but Cal State Northridge snapped the eight-game streak last weekend. The Mustangs lead the conference with 11.15 steals per game. Senior forward Jessica Eggleston earned three Player of the Week awards, her third coming after she scored her 1,000th career point against Cal State Fullerton Feb 24. Against LBSU: CAL POLY W 61-50 (@ CAL POLY), CAL POLY W 67-56 (@ LBSU).
No. 4 Cal State Northridge (13-15, 9-5) – Four Northridge players were given all-conference honors, the most out of any team. Senior guard forward Ofa Tulikihihifo was named First-Team All-Big West, becoming the third player in conference history to win the title four times. Another senior guard forward, LaJoyce King, was also named to the first-team with Tulikihihifo. Senior guard Jamie McCaa and junior center Katie Holloway were given honorable mention. Against LBSU: CSUN W 73-63 (@ LBSU), CSUN W 74-60 (@ CSUN)
No. 5 Cal State Fullerton (13-15, 9-5) – In the past month, the Titans managed to gain a three-game winning-streak, only to follow it with a three-game losing-streak. Fullerton’s duo of Toni Thomas and Charlee Underwood were both named to all-Big West Conference’s first team. Thomas leads the conference in scoring with 17.6 points per game. The Titans lead the conference in free throw percentages. Against LBSU: CSF W 68-57 (@ CSF), CSF L 73-59
No. 6 Long Beach State (7-22, 4-10) – LBSU has had a rough year compared to last. Two experienced sophomores, guard Karina Figueroa and post Kaiti O’Brien were forced to carry the team. Second place is a familiar one for Figueroa this season. She ranks as the second leading scorer in the conference, averaging 16.5 points per game, and has the second highest free throw percentage, .828. She also has 45 steals, second on the team behind Tyreesha Calhoun. Continuing her second place pattern, Figueroa was named to the all-Big West Second Team this week.
No. 7 UC Irvine (6-23, 3-11) – Although the Anteaters had two players given all-conference honors, it was only because they had no other players that did much. In their final conference game of the season, LBSU overtook them easily and Figueroa, O’Brien and Courtney Jacob all posted season-high numbers. Against LBSU: LBSU W 54-53 (@ UCI), LBSU W 77-63 (@ LBSU).
No. 8 Pacific (8-21, 2-12) – Despite having a couple of honored players (Jake Kelly, all-freshman team; Karen Dawkins and Jerise Freeman, honorable mention), and a better overall record than the No. 6 and 7 seeds, UOP struggled in the Big West Conference. The Tigers had some of the worst scoring and defense in the league, although they did rank high in offensive rebounds. Against LBSU: LBSU W 70-52 (@ LBSU), UOP W 72-77 (@ UOP).
