Matadors Edge Gauchos in Overtime Thriller
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · The Thunderdome
Cal State Northridge Matadors 85, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 83, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?
Cal State Northridge Matadors beat UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 85-83 at The Thunderdome on February 19, 2026.
Who was favored in Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -250 (about 71% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling overtime contest, the Cal State Northridge Matadors narrowly defeated the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos with a final score of 85-83 at The Thunderdome. This matchup was significant as both teams entered the game with identical records of 17-10, making it a crucial clash in the NCAAB landscape.
The Gauchos, despite their recent struggles, had a solid home record of 4-0 in their last four games at The Thunderdome and an overall home record of 17-10. However, they were coming off a loss against the Cal Poly Mustangs, which snapped a streak of eight wins in their last ten games, leaving them with a record of 8-2 over that span. Their average scoring during this period was 79.2 points per game, while they allowed 70.7 points, indicating a strong offensive output but some defensive vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, the Matadors were riding a five-game winning streak, bringing their last ten games record to 7-3. They showcased an impressive offensive performance, averaging 85.0 points scored per game while allowing 80.3 points. Their recent form included a convincing 84-60 victory over the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors just prior to facing the Gauchos, highlighting their offensive prowess.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Gauchos had struggled against the Matadors, holding a record of 1-3 in their last four meetings. The most recent encounter prior to this game was on January 3, 2026, where the Gauchos lost 65-74 on the road. The previous season saw the Gauchos win one of the two meetings, but the Matadors had dominated in their last encounter, winning by a significant margin of 103-77.
Injuries were not reported as a significant factor for either team leading into this game, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Gauchos as 5.5-point favorites, with a total set at 156.5 points. The moneyline reflected the Gauchos at -250 and the Matadors at +205, indicating a clear expectation for a Gauchos victory despite their recent form.
The conditions at The Thunderdome were typical for a late February evening, with both teams ready to battle in front of a passionate home crowd. Fans were treated to an exciting game that featured back-and-forth scoring, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities.
As the game progressed into overtime, the Matadors took control with key plays from Larry Hughes II and Josiah Davis, who made crucial free throws to seal the victory. The Gauchos fought hard but ultimately fell short, unable to capitalize on their home advantage.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams demonstrating resilience and skill. The Matadors' victory not only extended their winning streak but also showcased their ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSB -5.5 | 156.5 o -108 / u -112 | Cal State Northridge Matadors +205 · UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -250 |
Leaders
- PointsCJ Shaw22UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- AssistsCJ Shaw5UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- ReboundsHosana Kitenge11UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- PointsJosiah Davis31Cal State Northridge Matadors
- AssistsJosiah Davis7Cal State Northridge Matadors
- ReboundsJosiah Davis14Cal State Northridge Matadors
Recent form
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Last 10: 8-2Streak L179.2 scored · 70.7 allowed per game4-0 at home
- L79-89at Cal Poly MustangsFeb 15
- W76-68at UC Riverside HighlandersFeb 13
- W84-79vs UC Irvine AnteatersFeb 8
- L75-85at UC Davis AggiesFeb 6
- W83-69vs Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 1
- W62-48at UC San Diego TritonsJan 30
- W74-71at Long Beach State BeachJan 25
- W107-67vs Cal Poly MustangsJan 23
- W77-62vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 18
- W75-69at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 16
Cal State Northridge Matadors
Last 10: 7-3Streak W585 scored · 80.3 allowed per game2-2 away
- W84-60vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 15
- W88-74vs UC Riverside HighlandersFeb 7
- W97-96at Cal Poly MustangsFeb 6
- W81-64vs UC San Diego TritonsFeb 1
- W94-78vs UC Davis AggiesJan 30
- L68-89at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 25
- L80-87vs Long Beach State BeachJan 18
- W84-79at UC San Diego TritonsJan 16
- L79-86at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 11
- W95-90vs Cal Poly MustangsJan 9
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | Cal State Northridge Matadors | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-80 | 22-65 |
| Field goal % | 39 | 34 |
| Three-pointers | 3-17 | 13-40 |
| Three-point % | 18 | 32 |
| Free throws | 20-30 | 26-32 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 81 |
| Rebounds | 52 | 49 |
| Offensive rebounds | 17 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 35 | 36 |
| Assists | 15 | 15 |
| Steals | 7 | 3 |
| Blocks | 4 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 16 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 2 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 20 | 2 |
| Fast-break points | 17 | 18 |
| Points in the paint | 52 | 16 |
| Fouls | 25 | 25 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 29 | 55 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half54-57Larry Hughes II makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half55-57Larry Hughes II makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half56-57Larry Hughes II makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half58-57Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half58-58Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-59Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-59Josiah Davis makes layup (Larry Hughes II assists)
- 2nd Half60-61CJ Shaw makes layup
- 2nd Half60-62CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-62Mahmoud Fofana makes layup
- 2nd Half62-65Aidan Mahaney makes 26-foot three point jumper (CJ Shaw assists)
- 2nd Half63-65Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-65Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-65Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half66-66Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-67Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-67Joshua O'Garro makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-68CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-69CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-69Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-69Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-72CJ Shaw makes 27-foot three point jumper (Hosana Kitenge assists)
- 2nd Half69-73Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-74Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-74Larry Hughes II makes 29-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half72-75Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-76Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76Joshua O'Garro makes layup
- 2nd Half76-76Grady Lewis makes 7-foot jumper
- OT78-76Grady Lewis makes layup (Joshua O'Garro assists)
- OT78-79Aidan Mahaney makes 26-foot three point jumper (Hosana Kitenge assists)
- OT80-79Josiah Davis makes layup
- OT82-79Larry Hughes II makes 16-foot jumper (Jordan Brinson assists)
- OT83-79Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT83-80CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT83-81CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT84-81Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT85-81Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT85-82CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT85-83CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, below favours Cal State Northridge Matadors.
Venue
- The ThunderdomeSanta Barbara, CA
- Attendance2313
- OfficialsShawn Lehigh, Bill Vinovich, Ervin Wilson
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond