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March 14, 2021 at 10:22 am by Brandon Victor
For the first time in ten years, the Gauchos are dancing.
On Saturday, the UCSB menâs basketball team knocked off the reigning champions UC Irvine 79-63 in the Big West Tournament Championship. With the win, the Gauchos improve to 22-4 on the season and â more importantly â secure a berth in next weekâs NCAA Tournament.
On paper, Saturdayâs title matchup was poised to be a clash between two of the best teams in the conference. While Santa Barbara (22-4, 13-3) entered the tournament as the top seed, the Anteaters (18-9, 10-4) knocked off the Gauchos twice during conference play. With both teams allowing a mere 62.8 points per game, the winner-take-all matchup seemed certain to be a back and forth defensive affair.
College Basketball
McLaughlin, Norris Spark No. 1 UCSB to Big West Tourney Title, First NCAA Berth Since 2011
They combine for 30 points in the second half of 79-63 triumph over defending champion UC Irvine
JaQuori McLaughin, shown from an earlier game, scored 22 points to lead UCSB to the Big West Tournament title over defending champion UC Irvine. (Noozhawk file photo) By Dave Loveton, Noozhawk Contributing Writer
March 13, 2021
| 11:26 p.m.
The Gauchos are dancing in the streets of Las Vegas after a huge second-half surge carried top-seeded UCSB past No. 2 UC Irvine 79-63 in the Big West Tournament men s basketball final on Saturday night at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort.
UCSB Steps Up on Defense, Throttles UC Davis to Reach Big West Tournament Final
Amadou Sow drives the lane for two of his 23 points in UCSB’s 71-55 win over UC Davis in the Big West Tournament semifinals. (Photo courtesy of Big West) By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor | @NoozhawkSports
March 12, 2021
| 8:14 p.m.
The tough UCSB defense that got away in the quarterfinals returned with a vengeance in the Big West Tournament semifinals on Friday against UC Davis.
The Gauchos frustrated the Aggies and romped to a 71-55 win to advance to Saturday’s tournament championship at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.