SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara men's basketball team secured a 70-59 victory over UC Riverside on Thursday night at The Thunderdome. UC Santa Barbara built a 12-point lead in the first half, going into the break up 39-27. The hosts maintained their advantage through the second half, leveraging a strong rebounding edge with 39 total boards, including 10 offensive rebounds, to keep Riverside at bay.

FROM HEAD COACH JOE PASTERNACK
"For us it all comes down to defense and rebounding," said Pasternack. "He held them to under 40 percent from the field, but we have to learn to box out. If we box out in the last seconds of our last two games, we are in first place."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Santa Barbara started strong, capitalizing on early offensive opportunities to set the tone. Hosana Kitenge's defensive block at 19:44 set the stage for the Gauchos, and Zion Sensley's scoring from beyond the arc and in the paint helped maintain momentum. The Gauchos effectively utilized assists, with Aidan Mahaney facilitating several key plays, including a layup by Kitenge and a pivotal 3-pointer by Sensley at 13:14 that flipped the lead.
 
As the half progressed, UC Santa Barbara maintained composure, responding to Riverside's efforts with consistent scoring. A timely 3-point shot by Mahaney at 1:06 extended the lead, and a strong defensive rebound by CJ Shaw with 20 seconds left helped secure possession. The half closed with another Mahaney 3-pointer, increasing the lead to 39-27 at the end of the first half.
 
UC Santa Barbara maintained its edge in the second half despite the Highlanders' persistent efforts to close the gap. Colin Smith converted crucial free throws at 16:24, keeping UCSB ahead. Mahaney and Evans Kipruto contributed with timely layups and defensive plays, helping to fend off Riverside's advances.
 
As the half progressed, UCSB's defense held strong, with Kipruto making key steals and Sensley securing defensive rebounds. UCSB closed the half by extending its lead through clutch free throws by Sensley, finishing with a 70-59 advantage over the Highlanders.
 
UP NEXT
UC Satna Barbara will now hit the road one last time in the regular season as they travel to UC Irvine on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Gauchos and Anteaters will tip off at 7:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Live stats will also be available.