SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – JaQuori McLaughlin scored 22 points and Amadou Sow had 20 to lead UC Santa Barbara to an 87-66 win over visiting Westmont College on Thursday night. The win was the fifth in a row for UCSB.

The Gauchos (11-4) completed their non-conference schedule against the crosstown Warriors (14-1), who were unbeaten entering the game. 

UCSB took the lead early and never trailed. With the exception of 0-0, the game was also never tied. 

"I'm proud of our guys for preparing the way they did for this game," said head coach Joe Pasternack. "They (Westmont) are well coached and they are very dangerous when they shoot the three incredibly well." 

Warriors' forward Justin Bessard kept his team in the game by making 10-of-18 shot overall and 3-for-4 from three-point range. He scored 27 points. Guard Adam Carrasco added 16 points and Cade Roth hit a trio of three-pointers to finish with nine points. 

"He's (Bessard) really a three at the division one level," Pasternack said. "He was really good."

The Gauchos have now won 10 of their last 11 games.

McLaughlin made all of his three-point attempts in the win. He was also a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Sow was 8-for-11 and made all four of his free throws.

"JaQuori is such a huge part of our team," Pasternack said. "He is pretty special." 

Junior Brandon Cyrus, a transfer from DePaul, had one of his finest games with 10 points, six rebounds and six assists. He played nearly 34 minutes. 

"What Brandon does may not show up in a box score," Pasternack said. "Since Brandon got here, as a transfer, he has given us toughness. I love his toughness. He was like that during his redshirt year and he brings that every day."

The Gauchos led 44-27 at halftime and never looked back. After allowing Westmont to creep within 10-points at 58-48, UCSB went on a 13-2 run to extend the lead to 71-50. Devearl Ramsey, who finished with seven points, completed the run with a fast break lay-up. 

"I am happy with how we prepared for this game," Pasternack said. "This was a great game to play as we enter league play. They (Westmont) played hard and gave it to us the whole game. That team is so well coached and prepared. We will benefit from playing them." 

As a team, the Gauchos shot 54.0% for the game and they were over the 50.0% threshold in both halves. Westmont hit 40.6% overall and 37.5% from three-point territory.

UCSB also won the rebounding battle by a 43-29 margin. Robinson Idehen, who scored nine points, led the way with eight rebounds.

The Gauchos will travel to Cal Poly on Wednesday, Jan. 8 for a 7:00 p.m. game to open Big West Conference play. They will then return home to host Long Beach State in a 7:00 p.m. game at the Thunderdome on Saturday, Jan. 11.