SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team (7-5, 0-2 Big West) return to The Thunderdome Saturday afternoon to host Westcliff University (3-4). The Gauchos return home after a two game road trip a week ago.

LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos dropped their final game of their two-game road trip yesterday in a low-scoring, defensive battle with Missouri State. Santa Barbara fell 68-56, during the game Kenny Pohto recorded his fourth double-double scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Cole Anderson was the only other Gaucho to score in double figures as he dropped 11 points. It was his first double-digit scoring outing since visiting San Jose State on Nov. 17.

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Westcliff comes into the contest with a 3-4 overall record and coming off an exhibition game against Division II Point Loma, where they defeated the Sea Lions 81-75. This will be the first ever meeting between the Warriors and Gauchos.

Though seven games Westcliff is averaging 77.7 points per game and are shooting it over 45 percent from the field. The Warriors are led by Micaiah Hankins and Rayven Turner who both average in double figures. Hankins is averaging just under 15 points per game while Turner averages around 12.5. Turner is force on the boards as well grabbing a team leading 50 (7.1 per game).

Defensively the Warriors are giving up nearly 80 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 43 percent from the field. Opponets are forcing a lot of turnovers on the Warriors as Westcliff is turning the ball over 17 times per game. Their defense is also giving up over 13 assists per game. 

STICK AROUND FOR AUTOGRAPHS
Be sure to stick around following the final horn on Saturday's game. Post-game the UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team will sign autographs on court.

FOLLOW ALONG
UC Santa Barbara and Westcliff will play on Saturday, Dec. 28 in The Thunderdome. The Gauchos and Warriors will tipoff at 4 p.m. For this unable to make the game in person, the contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available through ucsbgauchos.com/MBBLiveStats.