SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The UC Santa Barbara men's basketball team fell to future Big West opponent Utah Valley in a Saturday matinee game. The Gauchos cut a 22-point halftime deficit in half and almost cut it to single digits, but ultimately fell, 68-53
HOW IT HAPPENED
A cold start for both teams resulted in just nine total points being scored in the first four minutes of play. The Gauchos started 0-for-6 from the field with four turnovers. All nine points came from the Wolverines, resulting in a 9-0 run and forcing UC Santa Barbara to take a timeout.
Hosana Kitenge ended the run with a layup underneath the basket, but both offenses continued to struggle. Combined, the teams were shooting 4-for-17 (23.5%). As the half progressed, the Gauchos started to find a little rhythm and cut the lead to two possessions after four free throws from Mavin McGheen IV and
Evans Kipruto. Unfortunately, the Wolverines responded with three consecutive 3-pointers and built their lead to 21-8.
The Gauchos tried to scratch and claw their way back in the game, but the Wolverines found their offense late in the half and proceeded to go on another 9-0 run, building their lead to 37-15 at the break.
UC Santa Barbara came out with a lot more energy to start the second half. A few threes by
Marvin McGhee IV and
Colin Smith helped the Gauchos slowly chip away at the lead. At the first media timeout, UCSB trimmed the lead to 15. The Gaucho offense found its shot as they matched their first-half total in under six minutes into the second half.
Aidan Mahaney's and-one followed by a Marvin McGhee 3-pointer cut the Wolverine lead to 12. The next handful of possessions for both teams were back and forth, and with 10 minutes left in the game, the Gauchos were down 54-41.
The game continued to be back and forth through the middle part of the second half as the Utah Valley lead floated between 11 and 15 points. The Gauchos' defense came up with multiple stops, giving them opportunities to cut the lead to single digits, but missed shots and turnovers kept it at double digits. Despite the effort to overcome a 22-point deficit in the second half, UC Santa Barbara fell 68-53.
NOTABLES
- Colin Smith was the lone Gaucho to score in double figures in the game.
- This was the first win for Utah Valley over the Gauchos in program history.
- The Gauchos forced double-digit turnovers for the 10th time this season.
- Koat Keat Tong saw his first action of the 2025-26 season playing 11 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds.
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will stay on the road as they head to Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The Gauchos and Phoenix will tip off at 4 p.m. Pacific Time. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available.
