UC Santa Barbara Men’s Basketball Holds Off UC Riverside to Secure 70-59 Victory
After back-to-back time beyond regulation losses the UC Santa Barbara males’s basketball crew thrived down the stretch in opposition to visiting UC Riverside and pulled away by a 70-59 on Thursday night time on the Thunderdome.
With the victory, the Gauchos strengthened their place within the Big West Conference race and snapped a three-game shedding streak.
“It was a close game, it was a tough game. Every possession matters,” stated UCSB coach Joe Pasternak. “Every possession has a life of its own and when you play at the end of February that’s how it is.”
UCSB established management early, constructing a 12-point lead within the first half and carrying a 39-27 benefit into the break. The Gauchos maintained that cushion for almost all of the second half, counting on defensive stops and a commanding presence on the boards to preserve Riverside at arm’s size.
However, the Highlanders minimize their deficit to 61-57 with 2:39 remaining within the recreation earlier than UCSB slammed the door shut with a 9-2 run to shut the sport.
Rebounding proved decisive. UCSB outrebounded the Highlanders 39-29 total, together with 10 offensive boards that led to second-chance alternatives and helped the hosts dictate tempo. The Gauchos additionally held Riverside to below 40 % taking pictures from the sector.
“For us it all comes down to defense and rebounding,” stated head coach Joe Pasternack. “We held them to under 40 percent from the field, but we have to learn to box out. If we box out in the last seconds of our last two games, we are in first place.”
The Gauchos set the tone within the opening minutes. A defensive block by Hosana Kitenge within the first possession energized the house crowd, and well timed scoring from Zion Sensley — each from past the arc and within the paint — helped UCSB set up momentum. Aidan Mahaney orchestrated the offense successfully, helping on key baskets, together with a layup by Kitenge and a go-ahead 3-pointer by Sensley halfway by way of the half.
Mahaney completed with a game-high 21 factors. Sensley scored 19 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds.
As Riverside tried to trim the deficit, UCSB responded with poised execution. Mahaney knocked down a 3-pointer within the remaining minute of the primary half, and CJ Shaw secured a important defensive rebound within the closing seconds earlier than one other Mahaney three prolonged the lead to 12 at halftime.
The Highlanders utilized strain after the break, however UCSB responded at key moments. Colin Smith transformed essential free throws to regular the lead, whereas Evans Kipruto contributed defensively with steals and rebounds. Sensley added clutch free throws late to sign the result because the Gauchos closed out the 11-point win.
With the common season winding down, UC Santa Barbara now turns its consideration to a highway matchup in opposition to the UC Irvine Anteaters on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm, with the sport set for nationwide broadcast on ESPN2.
UCSB all-time nice, Orlando Johnson, was honored as a Legend of the Dome with a pregame ceremony that included the debut of a large banner. Johnson was Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2010 and led the Gauchos to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
