IRVINE, Calif. (AP) -- Kristi Rohr was determined not to repeat her freshman mistakes.

The UC Santa Barbara forward scored 17 points in the second half as the No. 9 Gauchos extended their winning streak to 23 games with a 72-68 victory over UC Irvine on Saturday night.

"I was not going to lose," Rohr said. "We lost here my freshman year and I didn't want it to happen again."

As the shot clock expired, Rohr made a driving layup with 32.1 seconds left to give Santa Barbara a 70-68 lead. Nicole Greathouse hit two free throws to seal the victory.

Stacy Clinesmith led the Gauchos (27-3, 15-0 Big West) with 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range.

Megan Stafford, who led UC Irvine (12-15, 5-10) with 20 points and 11 assists, missed a jumper with 6.5 seconds remaining that would have tied the game.

The Gauchos were down 34-24 at halftime.

"We talked in the locker room at halftime that if we didn't pick it up, our dreams of hosting the NCAA Tournament would be shattered," Clinesmith said.

The Anteaters led 56-46 on a basket by Stafford with 9:43 to play, but were outscored 17-7 over the next six minutes. A 3-pointer by Clinesmith tied it at 63 with 4:57 left.

"Stacy Clinesmith has proven that if there is anything humanly possible that she can do, she will do it. She was unbelievable," UCSB coach Mark French said.

UC Irvine went ahead 65-63 on Chelsea Mackey's basket, but the Gauchos went on a 5-0 run before Shannon Anders hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 68.

Mackey finished with 17 and Anders added 13 points for the Anteaters, including 3-for-5 shooting from 3-point range.