PHOENIX – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team (6-3) made their way to Phoenix for the Jerry Colangelo Classic, taking on the Loyola Marymount Lions. With the whole team backing one another, the Gauchos left the Footprint Center with a win as they took down the Lions 68-59.
 
FROM HEAD COACH JOE PASTERNACK
"I am just so proud of our team. We got so much better defensively. We held them to 40 percent and out-rebounded a WCC team the way that we did was the key to the game. Everybody contributed. Josh had 10 rebounds and 10 points, which was huge for us. Ajay had a monster game offensively, but this was truly a team effort. Every single player that played today contributed to our win. I am so proud of us and how much we have gotten better since the New Mexico game."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos started this game playing from behind as the Lions won the tip and scored the first basket. Even though they struck first, the Gauchos were not letting them pull ahead with the lead. They stayed within two of LMU before Matija Belic scored a basket followed by a steal and a dunk from Josh Pierre-Louis. This gave UC Santa Barbara the momentum they needed to gain a 10-point lead as the Gauchos prevented LMU from scoring for over five minutes. By the time the first half ended, the Gauchos had the lead over Loyola Marymount with a score of 35-28.
 
Once they got back on the court for the second half, the Lions came out strong. Even though the Gauchos regained their double-digit lead, Loyola Marymount went on a 9-0, not allowing Santa Barbara to score for three minutes. This got the Lions within two of the lead before Ajay Mitchell drained a shot from beyond the arc, stopping the Lions in their tracks. UC Santa Barbara did not allow the opposition to get any closer as the Gauchos finished out this game on top, taking down Loyola Marymount 68-59.
 
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Ajay Mitchell led all players on the court in scoring as he finished today's game with 25 points. Along with that, Mitchel ended up with six rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal.
• Josh Pierre-Louis finished tonight's game with his third double-double of the season. He ended the night with 10 points to go along with 10 rebounds.
• Ariel Bland was a huge player for the Gauchos today. He led the team in rebounds with 11 while adding on nine points. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will play their final non-conference game of the season in The Thunderdome as they take on Howard University, who made it to March Madness last season. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Fans can follow along with all of the action on ESPN+.