Shelby Appice
Marketing Director
In an electric atmosphere at the Thunderdome on Feb. 27, the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) Gauchos secured a dominant 96-77 victory over the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) Mustangs in their classic Blue-Green Rivalry matchup. The game, played in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,000 fans, was a testament to the Gauchos’ defensive prowess and offensive efficiency as they extended their winning streak over their Central Coast rivals to 16 games.
The win was crucial for UCSB — and was its third-in-a-row — improving its record to 19-10 overall and 11-7 in the Big West Conference league. UC San Diego sits at No. 1 in the league standings with UC Irvine right behind. For Cal Poly, the loss dropped their record to 11-18 overall and 5-12 in the conference, dashing their hopes of a late-season surge.
Starting off slow, the game began balanced, with both teams matching each other shot for shot. The first half remained an up-and-down affair, with the Mustangs exploiting their fast-paced, high-energy style of play to keep the game close. Cal Poly, ranked as the third-fastest-paced team in the nation, pushed the tempo early, hoping to capitalize on transition opportunities. UCSB, however, was prepared, having practiced extensively for what Gaucho senior guard Ariel Bland calls Cal Poly’s “untraditional play style” and offensive approach, which emphasizes three-point shooting, guard screens, and rapid ball movement.
Since Mustangs play a small, quick lineup and can shoot three-pointers, the Gauchos worked on reducing turnovers, switching their matchups throughout the game, and ultimately making shots difficult for them.
“[We] practiced to feel comfortable transitioning, communicating, getting back, and picking up [who we needed to defend],” Bland told The Bottom Line.
Despite Cal Poly’s quick pace, UCSB found ways to contain the Mustangs’ perimeter shooting. By halftime, the Gauchos held a slim 47-42 lead, but the momentum seemed to be shifting in their favor. The Mustangs, while playing with speed and intensity, were unable to consistently break down UCSB’s defense or control the rebounding battle, which was key to the Gauchos’ success.
Once the second half began, UCSB capitalized on its defensive strength and the energy of fans. The Gauchos’ depth and fresh legs became evident as the game wore on, with the team rotating in players to keep up with Cal Poly’s relentless tempo.
“With how fast Cal Poly plays, you get tired much faster,” said senior guard Cole Anderson, who contributed 16 points in the game.
Once the Gauchos scored or turned the ball over, the Mustangs were looking to score within the first few seconds of the shot clock.
The Gauchos’ defense forced 15 turnovers from the Mustangs, turning those mistakes into 26 points. This efficiency on the defensive end allowed UCSB to establish a commanding lead as they pushed the score to 79-59 midway through the second half.
“We wanted to shut down their three point shooting,” Anderson said, “which led to us blowing them out.”
A key contributor to UCSB’s success was sophomore guard Jason Fontenet II, who led the team with 19 points and played a pivotal role on both sides of the ball. Fontenet added four steals, five rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes, providing an all-around performance that helped keep the Mustangs at bay.
As the game continued to unfold, the Gauchos’ lead only grew. Senior forward Kenny Pohto, who contributed 12 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes, was a key presence in the paint, both defensively and offensively. Pohto’s energy in the post, combined with the shooting of players like Deuce Turner and Stephan Swenson, who contributed 14 and 10 points respectively, ensured the Mustangs could not mount a comeback.
“It was awesome to play in front of a sold-out crowd,” Anderson said, reflecting on the atmosphere. “The energy the fans brought definitely motivated us to be at our best on both ends.”
He explained how the Mustangs’ fast play brought out the best in his team, and Cal Poly’s game forced UCSB to play the same way, leading to easy transition shots and layups.
Bland believes the crowd was influential, and their energy was contagious. “The home crowd was the best it’s been all year, and we really wanted to put on a good show for everyone who came out,” he added. “It felt like that’s what fueled us to make such a run in the second half.”
While UCSB’s offensive firepower was evident in the box score, it was the balanced contributions from the entire team that set them apart. Six Gauchos scored in double figures, a testament to the depth of their roster and their ability to spread the ball around. Colin Smith added 13 points and six rebounds, while Turner and Swenson chipped in with valuable assists — Turner with six and Swenson with eight.
“I think our overall team performance was one of the best of the year,” said Anderson, adding that not too many adjustments were needed throughout the game since the Gauchos came in with such a strong game plan.
UCSB’s depth proved critical in wearing down the Mustangs, who were not able to keep pace with the Gauchos’ fresh legs and defensive intensity. While Cal Poly could hit shots in bursts, their shooting wasn’t enough to overcome UCSB’s controlled offense and tight defense.
Despite the loss, Cal Poly showed flashes of what made them one of the fastest teams in the nation. The Mustangs’ quick ball movement and aggressive play at times led to open shots and transition baskets, but their inability to execute consistently in the half-court offense and their turnovers ultimately hurt them.
The Mustangs scored 17 points off UCSB’s turnovers, but they were plagued by their own mistakes.
The intensity of the rivalry, combined with the electric atmosphere in the Thunderdome, made for a thrilling night of college basketball. As UCSB prepares for the postseason, they know their defense, depth, and ability to execute will be key to their success.
“I think overall, this [was] one of our best team performances of the year,” Anderson said. “We’re feeling good about the way we played, and we just want to keep building.”
Looking Ahead:
UCSB kept itself in contention for a strong seed in the upcoming Big West Men’s Basketball Tournament, which began March 12 in Henderson, Nevada. Sitting at No. 5, the Gauchos are looking to continue to build on their momentum as the postseason progresses.
On March 12, they secured their first round win over No. 8 seed Cal State Bakersfield with a 71-66 victory. Keeping the energy going, the Gauchos beat the No. 5 seed Cal State Northridge Matadors on Thursday, March 13 in a tight game with a final score of 78-72.
One final round remains to decide who will advance to the Big West Championship game. UCSB will face-off against the No. 1 seed UC San Diego Tritons on March 14 in a high-stakes matchup to determine who will proceed.