Defense, Dunks Spark Big West-Champion UCSB to Strong Finish of Regular Season
UCSB’s JaQuori McLaughlin eludes a Cal Poly defender and puts up a reverse layup. (Gary Kim / Noozhawk photo)
By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor | @NoozhawkSports
March 6, 2021
| 7:31 p.m.
The Big West-champion UCSB men's basketball team heads into March Madness on a winning note.
The Gauchos, which clinched their first regular-season title since 2010 on Friday, overcame a sluggish start Saturday with a 21-2 run and beat Cal Poly 70-54 in the regular-season finale on Saturday at the Thunderdome.
It was a school-record 17th straight home win and 15th victory in the last 16 games overall for Joe Pasternack's squad.