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.
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.