SOUTHLAND

UC Santa Barbara 81, Cal State Fullerton 53--The Gauchos had season highs for assists (24) and steals (13) and a season-low for turnovers (nine) in an easy Big West victory over the Titans before 1,658 at Goleta.

Santa Barbara (9-11, 5-4) used an 11-0 run in the first four minutes to build a cushion and pulled away in the second half, extending the lead to 32 points late in the game. The Gauchos won for the fifth time in six games and handed Fullerton (8-12, 3-6) its fourth consecutive loss.

Brandon Payton, the brother of Seattle SuperSonic guard Gary Payton, came off the bench to score 13 points, Derrick Allen had 12 points and five steals, and LaRon Bryant added 11 points for the Gauchos.

Titan forward Ike Harmon led all scorers with 20 points but was limited to 23 minutes because of foul trouble. Fullerton turned the ball over 22 times.