HENDERSON, Nev. - The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team (21-13, 11-9 Big West) bowed out of The Big West Championships as they went toe-to-toe with UC San Diego in the semifinals.

FROM HEAD COACH JOE PASTERNACK
"I told our team, in college basketball you hope to be playing your best in the conference tournament," said Pasternack. "Our guys competed to exhaustion, we say empty your tank, they did just that. UC San Diego is a great team and for 32 minutes we played excellent."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons opened the game on a 7-2 run. Luckily for the Gauchos UC San Diego started 1-for-6 from the free throw line otherwise they would have been in a bigger hole. Despite shots not falling, UC Santa Barbara continued firing. A three pointer by Colin Smith sparked an 11-0 run giving the Gauchos their first lead of the game. As the half continued on the two teams traded baskets and ended with the Gauchos up by one, 27-26, at the end of the first 20 minutes of play.

In the second half, UC Santa Barbara faced challenges with shooting, making only 6 of 29 attempts from the field. Stephan Swenson regained the lead for Santa Barbara on an early 3-pointer after the Tritons scored on their opening possession. However, UC San Diego responded with a strong offensive streak, going on a 17-3 run and taking a 14 point lead. Despite the Gauchos efforts, including Kenny Pohto's contributions from the free-throw line and Ben Shtolzberg's late points, the Gauchos were unable to mount a comeback and fell in the semifinals, 69-51.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• For the sixth time under Coach Pasternack, the Gauchos have recorded a 20+ win season. It is the most 20 win seasons for UC Santa Barbara under a single coach.
• The Gauchos posted new season bests in made three pointers (340), total points (2,527), and assists (508).
• Cole Anderson finishes his stellar career in the Blue and Gold with the third most three point attempts, making 234 over his career.