University of California, Riverside
UC Santa Barbara (First Round)
Gauchos Knock Out Highlanders, 76-44
3/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos knocked the UC Riverside Highlanders out of the Big West Tournament Wednesday with a 76-44 win in their first round game at the Anaheim Convention Center.
The Highlanders struggled with their shooting throughout the game, hitting just 26.7% from the field (16-of-60) and from the three point line (4-of-15). Senior guard Rickey Porter led all players with 13 points, hitting three-of-nine three point attempts. He was the only player to finish in double figures.
The Gauchos had five players score in double figures, led by 12 from Cecil Brown and 11 each from Cameron Goettsche and Joe See.
The Gauchos held a 34-24 halftime lead, led by junior Chris Devine's nine points. UCSB used an 11-1 run over the final four minutes of the first half to take its biggest lead of the half.
The second half was more of the same as UCSB used a 27-6 over 10 minutes run to take a commanding 65-34 lead with 8:45 left in the game. The Gauchos hit 11 of their first 13 shots in the second half and shot 60.9% from the field in the final frame.
Despite a 46-35 rebounding advantage, including 23 offense rebounds, the Highlanders could manage just eight second chance points. With a field goal percentage advantage of 47.5% to 26.7% for the game, UCSB held the Highlanders to just seven of 35 from the field (20.0%) in the second half.
The Highlanders finish the season at 5-23, UCSB moves to 15-13. UC Santa Barbara will play No. 3 seed Cal Poly in the Quarter-Final Round of the Big West Tournament on Thursday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center.
