SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball Team (7-5, 0-2 Big West) dropped their final road contest of the 2024 calendar year at Missouri State (7-5, 0-1 MVC), Sunday afternoon. A low scoring defensive battle kept the two teams close early on but Missouri State pulled away in the second half to win 68-56.

FROM HEAD COACH JOE PASTERNACK
"Give credit Missouri State they are a good team," said Pasternack. "We have to be able to out-rebound teams to win moving forward, and we did not today."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was filled with a back and forth battle. By the time the game reached the four minute mark the Gauchos and Bears had seen 11 lead changes and four ties. The largest lead by either side came from Missouri State holding a five point edge at 23-18. It was a defensive battle on both sides. Santa Barbara cut the lead to one, but a 8-3 run swelled the Bear lead up to six just before halftime.

Out of the intermission, the Bears grew their lead to 10 a couple times. Santa Barbara clawed their way back into the game cutting the lead to two possessions multiple times. Ben Shtolzberg hit a tough two while getting fouled to trim the lead but after that, the Gauchos could not find the stops they needed to cut the game to one possession. As the game came down the stretch, the defensive battle continued. The Gauchos could not inch closer and ultimately fell 68-56.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Koat Keat Tong made his first start as a Gaucho in his 33rd game played in the Blue and Gold.
• Kenny Pohto secured his fourth double double of the season and has now recorded a double double in two of the past three games for the gauchos. Today he scored 20 while grabbing 10 boards.
• Cole Anderson scored 11 points, his first time scoring in double figures since Nov. 17 against San Jose State. Both hid double-digit scoring outings have come on the road.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will wrap up 2024 at home as they host Westcliff on Saturday, Dec. 28. The Gauchos and Warriors will tip off at 4 p.m. in the Thunderdome. For those coming to the game, be sure to stick around as the team will be signing autographs after the contest.