SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team (16-14) wrapped up the regular season tonight as they took on the UC Riverside Highlanders. The Highlanders' hot start gave them the early advantage and ultimately the win as UC Santa Barbara lost their last regular season game of the season with a score of 64-81.
 
FROM HEAD COACH JOE PASTERNACK
"All the credit goes to Riverside. They came out strong in the first 10 minutes of the game and they deserve a lot of credit. For us, it has always been a tale of defense and rebounding. We got out-rebounded 39 to 24, and defensively, we gave up 53 percent in the first half. And that's the game right there as we were even in the second.
 
Like I told our team, in college basketball at our level, the only thing you are remembered by is the postseason. We play Wednesday and that is our complete focus. Everyone is 0-0 when we get to Vegas."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the very first basket, the Highlanders had control. They went on a 18-2 run as UC Santa Barbara worked to find a rhythm. That didn't hold back the Gauchos. They worked to make a comeback, getting within nine of the visitors. However, UC Riverside continued in their pursuits as they shot at 53 percent to top UC Santa Barbara 46-30 in the first half.
 
From there, it was an even battle between the Gauchos and the Highlanders. Every time Santa Barbara would score, Riverside would respond with a basket of their own. By the time the second half was over, the Gauchos did not make any headway against the visitors as they dropped their final Big West game of the regular season 64-81.  
 
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Josh Pierre-Louis led the Gauchos during his last game in The Thunderdome. He racked up 17 points while shooting at 60 percent from the field. He also led the team in steals with two and assists with three.
• Yohan Traore also finished the night with double-digit points as he added on 16. He made six of his nine shots from the field while grabbing an assist.
• Cole Anderson is the final Gaucho to finish in the double-digits. He earned 11 points tonight, shooting at 60 percent from three.
• Ariel Bland led the team on defense. He grabbed the most rebounds with five while adding on two blocks. He also helped the team out with three assists. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will make their way to Henderson, Nevada for The Big West Championships. UC Santa Barbara will be the sixth seed in the tournament, taking on the No. 7 CSUN Matadors in the first round. This game will be played at the Dollar Loan Center on Wednesday, March 13 at 8:30 p.m. For those who can't make it to Henderson, they can watch from home through ESPN+.