UC Santa Barbara Tops UC Irvine in Thrilling Finish
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · The Thunderdome
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 84, UC Irvine Anteaters 79, 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 UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos beat UC Irvine Anteaters 84-79 at The Thunderdome on February 7, 2026.
Who was favored in UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos edged out the UC Irvine Anteaters with a final score of 84-79 at The Thunderdome. This victory is significant for the Gauchos, who have struggled against the Anteaters in previous meetings, holding a record of 0-2 against them in the last season. The win improves their overall record to 17-8, while UC Irvine falls to 16-9.
Both teams entered the game with identical records of 16-8, making this matchup crucial for positioning in the league. The Gauchos had shown mixed form recently, with a 6-4 record over their last ten games, including a loss to UC Davis just two days prior to this game. They averaged 78.8 points scored and allowed 73.3 points during that stretch. In contrast, the Anteaters were in better form, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten games, riding a four-game winning streak into this contest. They averaged 77.4 points scored and allowed 68.0 points during that same period.
At home, the Gauchos had a record of 3-1 in their last four games, while they were 3-3 in their last six away games. The Anteaters, on the other hand, had been strong on the road, with a 5-2 record in their last seven away games. This game was particularly noteworthy as it featured two teams that had been performing well, making the stakes high.
The betting lines from DraftKings indicated that the Gauchos were favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 141.5. The odds reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with the home team being slightly favored. The conditions in The Thunderdome were expected to be conducive to a high-scoring game, with both teams demonstrating offensive capabilities throughout the season.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either side, allowing both teams to field their strongest lineups. This was crucial for the intensity of the game, as both squads brought their best players to the court.
As the game unfolded, the Gauchos managed to maintain a narrow lead throughout the second half. Key scoring plays included free throws from Aidan Mahaney, who contributed significantly to the Gauchos' final tally. Mahaney's performance at the line was pivotal, as he made crucial free throws that helped secure the victory. The Anteaters fought hard, with Marvin McGhee IV and Andre Henry making critical plays to keep the game within reach.
The final moments saw the Anteaters attempting to close the gap, but the Gauchos' defense held strong, and they were able to seal the win. This game showcased the resilience of the Gauchos, who were eager to turn around their previous losses to UC Irvine and assert their dominance at home.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, and the Gauchos' victory not only boosts their confidence but also sets the stage for the remainder of the season as they aim for a strong finish.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSB -2.5 | 141.5 o -105 / u -115 | UC Irvine Anteaters +110 · UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -130 |
Leaders
- PointsAidan Mahaney21UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- AssistsAidan Mahaney3UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- ReboundsZion Sensley13UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- PointsAndre Henry18UC Irvine Anteaters
- AssistsTama Isaac5UC Irvine Anteaters
- ReboundsJurian Dixon7UC Irvine Anteaters
Recent form
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Last 10: 6-4Streak L178.8 scored · 73.3 allowed per game3-1 at home
- 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
- L86-93vs UC Davis AggiesJan 9
- L65-74at Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 3
- L84-95at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 2
UC Irvine Anteaters
Last 10: 8-2Streak W477.4 scored · 68 allowed per game5-2 away
- W78-62vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersFeb 6
- W87-76vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 30
- W61-59at UC San Diego TritonsJan 25
- W80-66at UC Riverside HighlandersJan 23
- L72-75at UC Davis AggiesJan 17
- L66-67at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 11
- W74-64vs Long Beach State BeachJan 9
- W86-64at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 4
- W81-77at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 1
- W89-70at Norfolk State SpartansDec 23
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 | UC Irvine Anteaters | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-62 | 29-57 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 5-14 | 7-23 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 30 |
| Free throws | 12-13 | 19-25 |
| Free throw % | 92 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 27 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 24 |
| Assists | 14 | 11 |
| Steals | 7 | 7 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 34 |
| Fouls | 22 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 21 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 35 | 58 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half41-59Kyle Evans makes layup
- 2nd Half41-61Zion Sensley makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half43-61Jurian Dixon makes 6-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half43-64Aidan Mahaney makes 24-foot three point jumper (Colin Smith assists)
- 2nd Half44-64Andre Henry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-64Andre Henry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-64Kyle Evans makes layup (Derin Saran assists)
- 2nd Half48-64Jurian Dixon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-64Jurian Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-66CJ Shaw makes layup
- 2nd Half49-67Colin Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-68Colin Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-68Andre Henry makes 22-foot three point jumper (Tama Isaac assists)
- 2nd Half54-68Tama Isaac makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-70Zion Sensley makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half55-70Jurian Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-72Zion Sensley makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half57-72Jurian Dixon makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half59-72Andre Henry makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-72Derin Saran makes layup
- 2nd Half63-72Kyle Evans makes 2-foot dunk (Jurian Dixon assists)
- 2nd Half63-73Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-73Andre Henry makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half66-74CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-75CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-75Andre Henry makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tama Isaac assists)
- 2nd Half70-75Andre Henry makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half70-76CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-77CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-78Zion Sensley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-78Jurian Dixon makes layup
- 2nd Half72-79Marvin McGhee IV makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-80Marvin McGhee IV makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-80Andre Henry makes driving layup
- 2nd Half74-81CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-82CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-82Tama Isaac makes driving layup
- 2nd Half76-84Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-83Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-84Kyle Evans makes 23-foot three point jumper (Andre Henry assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, below favours UC Irvine Anteaters.
Venue
- The ThunderdomeSanta Barbara, CA
- Attendance3908
- OfficialsJeff Campbell, Mark Fulton, Justin Shamion
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