DAVIS, Calif. – For the first time in 28 days, the UC Santa Barbara men's basketball team suffered a loss. The Gauchos had won six straight and, per haslametrics.com, had the most momentum of any team in the country according to the analytical website. The Gauchos battled despite being down a couple of players, but ultimately fell 85-75 to the Aggies for the second time this season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game opened as a back-and-forth affair with the Gauchos clinging to a one-possession lead. Zion Sensley was on fire, starting the game 3-of-3 and scoring seven of UC Santa Barbara's first 11 points. Sensley showed his arsenal off with a three-pointer, mid-range jumper, and a fastbreak layup.
 
The Aggies responded out of the first media timeout with a 10-0 run to take an 18-11 lead. The run was fueled by three three-pointers. Shaw ended the run by hitting two free throws and brought the deficit back to two possessions. A little more than halfway through the first period, Colin Smith and Michael Simcoe produced a short little spurt that cut the Aggie lead to two.
 
The short lead did not last long as the Aggies again swelled the lead back up to double-digits. Just before expired in the half Shaw made a layup to cut the lead to eight as the Gauchos went into the half trailing 40-32.
 
The second half opened again with the teams going back-and-forth, with the Gauchos narrowly cutting the lead by one as the game hit the first media timeout of the second period. Out of the first timeout, the Gauchos were able to cut the lead to one, thanks in part to Aidan Mahaney, who hit three three-pointers. Smith and Simcoe both hit their foul shots to put the Gauchos up two at the 12-minute mark in the second half. It was the first lead for the Gauchos since they led 11-9.
 
After taking the lead, the Aggies went on a 9-2 run to regain the advantage. Sensley stopped the run with a three-pointer that was immediately followed by a timeout from UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos fought to keep the deficit manageable, but could only hold on for so long. Another 6-2 run by the Aggies put them up 10 and they hung on to that margin for the remainder of the game, defeating the Gauchos 85-75.
 
NOTABLES

• Aidan Mahaney played all 40 minutes in the contest. After a 2-for-10 start to the game, Mahaney did not miss a shot the rest of the game, going 3-for-3 and making both free throws.
• For the first time since losing to Nevada, the Gauchos were outshot from the field, the three-point line, and the free-throw line, a 17-game span.
• The Gauchos have now gone 12 consecutive games recording double-digit assists.
• CJ Shaw has scored in double figures in 11 of the past 12 games.

 
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will return to The Thunderdome on Saturday, Feb. 7, as they host UC Irvine at 7 p.m. The Gauchos and Anteaters will tip off at 7 p.m., with the game being broadcast on ESPNU and live stats available.