SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - UC Santa Barbara ended the first half on a 33-10 run to break open a close game and cruise to its fourth straight win, a 84-53 decision over visiting UC San Diego on Saturday evening. 

The Tritons (2-3 overall, 0-2 Big West) trailed just 9-8 when Toni Rocak made a short jumper in the key with 14:29 to play in the first half, but that's when the Gauchos (8-3, 4-2) exploded with their 33-10 run the rest of the way.

UCSB's half-ending run was accomplished inside and out. Miles Norris, who scored all 10 of his points in the half, made a pair of alley-top slam dunks and a three during the stretch. JaQuori McLaughlin, Destin Barnes and Jay Nagle each hit one triple with Nagle's coming as the buzzer ended the half, giving the Gauchos a 42-18 lead.

In all, Santa Barbara's decisive first half was a product of offense and defense. The Gauchos finished the half at 16-for-28 from the field overall, 57.1, and 6-for-13 from three-point range, 46.2%. On the other end, they limited UCSD to 7-for-27 overall, 25.9%, and 2-for-14 from three-point range, 14.3%. They also forced eight turnovers and had a 22-11 rebound advantage. 

After the Tritons narrowed the lead to 20 at the outset of the second half, UCSB continued its assault, pushing the advantage to 68-35 on a nifty driving layup by Josh Pierre-Louis with 8:40 to play in the game. 

Amadou Sow led the Gauchos with his second straight double-double, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. McLaughlin finished with 11 points, five rebounds and six assists. In all, three different Santa Barbara players finished with five or more assists as Devearl Ramsey tied for the team-lead with six and Ajare Sanni finished with five. Pierre-Louis had 12 points, on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including a thunderous dunk to finish the scoring, to give his team four players in double-figures. 

While UCSB cooled off in the second half, it still made 34-of-62 shots overall, 54.8%, and 8-of-20 from three-point range, 40.0%. It also had a decisive rebounding edge of 42-25.

The Tritons, meanwhile, were led by Toni Rocak who had a game-high 16 points. They shot 35.8% from the field and were 5-of-24 from outside the three-point arc, 20.8%. 

UCSB will travel or its next two weekend series. On Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23, the Gauchos play a pair of 4:00 p.m. games at Cal State Northridge. Both games can be heard UCSBgauchos.com and viewed at BigWest.tv.