SANTA BARBARA, Calif- The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team (4-1) continues their four-game homestand this week against Eastern Washington and Mississippi Valley State as the host of the Mountain to Sea Showcase.

LAST TIME OUT
After four straight wins to kick off the 2024-25 season, the Gauchos had their first loss to UTEP in the Thunderdome on Wednesday night. The Miners took the early lead and did not give it up.

Despite last-minute efforts from Santa Barbara, they came up just short, falling 79-76. Kenny Pohto had the best performance for the Gauchos with his second-straight double double as he recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds. Pohto also secured two assists, a steal and a block on the defensive end.

LOOKING AT THE GAUCHOS
UC Santa Barbara remains a strong offensive team with an average of 84.2 points per game and ranking 30th in the NCAA in field goal percentage and 35th in three-point field goal percentage. Additionally, the Gauchos are one of the strongest rebounding teams with a margin of plus-11 margin per game, coming in at 24th nationally. 

Four Gauchos are averaging in double figures. Jason Fontenent II (15.8), Kenny Pohto (12.2), Stephan Swenson (11.6) and Deuce Turner (10.2) are the top offensive threats for the Blue and Gold in the first five contests. 

Jason Fontenent II puts in work on both sides of the ball as the leader in points as well as 5.4 defensive rebounds per game. Stephan Swenson leads the team in both steals and assists averaging 1.6 and 4.6 per game, respectively. Cole Anderson is the Gauchos' strongest player from beyond the arc shooting 56.5 percent from deep this season.

EVALUATING THE EAGLES
Eastern Washington has yet to find much success this season as they come into the contest 1-5. The last win for the Eagles came three weeks ago over Seattle University. Despite offensive trouble, the team comes in 25th nationally in steals.

Nic McClain is the leader in almost all offensive and defensive categories for the Eagles. The redshirt junior averages 17.8 points per game and ranks fifth in the nation for steals at an average of 3.33 per game. He also leads the team in total field goals and assists. 

Following up the offensive power is Andrew Cook with a field goal percentage of 61.7. The senior guard comes in right behind McClain in points per game at 16.7.

DEDUCING THE DELTA DEVILS
Mississippi Valley State is coming off a loss at BYU on Saturday bringing their record to 1-5. Their most recent win came against the Mississippi University for Women on Nov. 7. They look to break their four-game losing streak facing their first opponent in the Mountain to Sea Showcase, Utah, on Tuesday. 

The Delta Devils currently average 49.5 points per game. The team's earnings in points and assists largely comes from Donovan Sanders with an average of 9.8 and 2.5 per game, respectively. He also averages 4.2 rebounds. 

Alvin Stredic follows closely behind in points with an average of 7.3. The senior forward leads the team in rebounds with 32 and steals with eight so far this season. Antonio Sisk contributes a 47.06 field goal percentage, one of the team's highest, as well as the second-most steals with six.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
UC Santa Barbara encourages fans to bring non-perishable food items to Tuesday's game to donate to the Holiday Food Drive in partnership with Santa Barbara Food Bank. Fans will receive a complimentary voucher to an upcoming UC Santa Barbara men's and women's basketball game for their donation. 

FOLLOW ALONG
The Gauchos and Eagles will tip off at 7 p.m. inside The Thunderdome on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The Friday, Nov. 29 matchup against the Delta Devils starts at 7 p.m. also in the Thunderdome. For those unable to attend in person, both contests will be streamed on ESPN+.