SOUTHLAND

UC Santa Barbara 55, UC Irvine 40--The Gauchos used bookend 9-0 runs to start and finish the Big West game, keeping the Anteaters at a comfortable distance and winning for the sixth time in seven games before 2,268 at Santa Barbara.

Marek Ondera’s 16-foot jumper pulled Irvine (10-11, 3-7) to within 46-40 with 3:15 left, but Gaucho center Aama Ndiaye (blocked shot, key defensive rebound and follow shot) and guard Larry Bell (inside basket, free throw and an assist) took over in the final three minutes, as Santa Barbara (10-11, 6-4) pulled away.

Gaucho forward Mark Hull scored a game-high 16 points, including two three-point baskets in the second half and a clutch leaner from the key that put Santa Barbara up by eight with 3:46 left. The Gauchos, ranked 11th in the 12-team conference with a .406 field-goal percentage, made 22 of 38 shots (57.9%).

The 40 points were a season-low for the Anteaters and the fewest points since a 57-40 loss at Idaho on Feb. 1, 1997. Irvine shot a season-low 35.4% (17 of 48) in the face of the Gauchos’ aggressive defense and the intimidating inside presence of the 6-foot-9 Ndiaye.