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NCAAB · Final

UC Santa Barbara Defeats UC Riverside 70-59 at Home

UC Riverside Highlanders
UC Riverside Highlanders9-21
59
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos18-11
70

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · The Thunderdome

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 70, UC Riverside Highlanders 59, 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 Riverside Highlanders vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos beat UC Riverside Highlanders 70-59 at The Thunderdome on February 26, 2026.

Who was favored in UC Riverside Highlanders vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -700 (about 88% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup at The Thunderdome, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos secured a 70-59 victory over the UC Riverside Highlanders. This win is significant as it highlights the Gauchos' resilience following a three-game losing streak, while also marking their continued dominance in recent meetings against the Highlanders. The Gauchos now hold a 2-1 record against UC Riverside this season, having previously defeated them 76-68 on February 13, 2026.

The Gauchos entered this game with an 18-11 overall record and a recent form of 6-4 in their last ten games, but they had struggled in their previous outings, losing three straight. Their scoring average in those last ten games was 79.8 points per game, while they allowed an average of 73.9 points. At home, they maintained a strong record of 3-1 in their last four games. In contrast, the Highlanders, with a 9-21 record, have struggled significantly, recording a 2-8 mark in their last ten games and averaging 73.6 points scored against 76.6 points allowed. Their away form has been particularly poor, with an 0-4 record in their last four away games.

The game began with both teams vying for control, but the Gauchos managed to establish a lead that they maintained throughout. The Highlanders had previously lost to the Gauchos earlier in the season, and this matchup was no different as they struggled to keep pace. The Gauchos' recent scoring average was bolstered by their ability to capitalize on free throws in the closing moments of the game, with Zion Sensley making crucial shots that helped seal the victory.

In terms of injury impact, the block does not specify any players missing from either side, which suggests that both teams were at full strength for this contest. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Gauchos favored by 10.5 points, with a total set at 145.5. The moneyline reflected a strong belief in the Gauchos, priced at -700, while the Highlanders were at +500.

As the game progressed, the Highlanders attempted to narrow the gap, but the Gauchos' defense held firm. The scoring plays in the second half showcased a mix of free throws and layups, with Aidan Mahaney and Zion Sensley contributing key points down the stretch. The Highlanders' Marqui Worthy Jr. made free throws that brought the score to 59-63, but the Gauchos responded effectively to maintain their lead.

Overall, this game emphasized the Gauchos' ability to rebound from recent setbacks and reinforced their position as a competitive force in the league. The victory over UC Riverside not only improves their standing but also provides momentum as they look ahead to the remainder of the season.

Odds

BookSpreadTotalMoneyline
DraftKingsUCSB -10.5 145.5 o -105 / u -115 UC Riverside Highlanders +500 · UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -700

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

  • PointsAidan Mahaney21UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
  • AssistsAidan Mahaney3UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
  • ReboundsZion Sensley12UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
  • PointsAndrew Henderson17UC Riverside Highlanders
  • AssistsDe'Undrae Perteete Jr.4UC Riverside Highlanders
  • ReboundsOsiris Grady8UC Riverside Highlanders

Recent form

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

Last 10: 6-4Streak L379.8 scored · 73.9 allowed per game3-1 at home

  • L75-78at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 22
  • L83-85vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsFeb 20
  • 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

UC Riverside Highlanders

Last 10: 2-8Streak L173.6 scored · 76.6 allowed per game0-4 away

  • L73-78vs UC Davis AggiesFeb 21
  • W93-65vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersFeb 20
  • L66-72at UC San Diego TritonsFeb 15
  • L68-76vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 13
  • L74-88at Cal State Northridge MatadorsFeb 7
  • L72-78at Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 6
  • L87-94vs Cal Poly MustangsFeb 1
  • W71-61vs Long Beach State BeachJan 30
  • L66-74at UC Davis AggiesJan 24
  • L66-80vs UC Irvine AnteatersJan 23

Standings

TeamOverallGames behindIn conference
UC Irvine23-12-15-5
Hawai'i24-9114-6
UC San Diego23-11312-8
Cal State Northridge20-14312-8
Cal State Fullerton18-16312-8
UC Davis19-14411-9
UC Santa Barbara18-14411-9
Cal Poly14-19510-10
Long Beach State10-2296-14
UC Riverside10-22105-15
Cal State Bakersfield8-24132-18

Box score

StatUC Riverside HighlandersUC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Field goals20-5223-52
Field goal %3844
Three-pointers2-165-18
Three-point %1328
Free throws17-2119-28
Free throw %8168
Rebounds2939
Offensive rebounds510
Defensive rebounds2429
Assists1010
Steals84
Blocks32
Turnovers1113
Team turnovers02
Technical fouls00
Technical fouls, total00
Flagrant fouls00
Points off turnovers1416
Fast-break points1011
Points in the paint3430
Fouls2019
Largest lead312
Lead changes44
Time in front1278

How the scoring went

  1. 2nd Half33-42Zion Sensley makes free throw 1 of 2
  2. 2nd Half33-43Zion Sensley makes free throw 2 of 2
  3. 2nd Half33-45Evans Kipruto makes layup (Aidan Mahaney assists)
  4. 2nd Half35-45BJ Kolly makes layup
  5. 2nd Half37-45Marqui Worthy Jr. makes layup (BJ Kolly assists)
  6. 2nd Half37-47Aidan Mahaney makes 19-foot jumper (Hosana Kitenge assists)
  7. 2nd Half38-47Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
  8. 2nd Half39-47Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
  9. 2nd Half41-47Andrew Henderson makes layup
  10. 2nd Half43-47Andrew Henderson makes layup
  11. 2nd Half43-48Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
  12. 2nd Half44-48Andrew Henderson makes free throw 1 of 2
  13. 2nd Half45-48Andrew Henderson makes free throw 2 of 2
  14. 2nd Half46-48Andrew Henderson makes free throw 2 of 2
  15. 2nd Half46-50Colin Smith makes 7-foot jumper
  16. 2nd Half46-51Evans Kipruto makes free throw 1 of 2
  17. 2nd Half46-52Evans Kipruto makes free throw 2 of 2
  18. 2nd Half47-52Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
  19. 2nd Half48-52Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
  20. 2nd Half49-52Andrew Henderson makes free throw 1 of 2
  21. 2nd Half50-52Andrew Henderson makes free throw 2 of 2
  22. 2nd Half50-54Aidan Mahaney makes 13-foot jumper
  23. 2nd Half52-54Andrew Henderson makes 16-foot jumper (Marqui Worthy Jr. assists)
  24. 2nd Half52-56CJ Shaw makes layup
  25. 2nd Half52-58Aidan Mahaney makes layup
  26. 2nd Half54-58Marqui Worthy Jr. makes layup
  27. 2nd Half54-59Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
  28. 2nd Half54-60Colin Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
  29. 2nd Half54-61Colin Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
  30. 2nd Half56-61De'Undrae Perteete Jr. makes layup (Marqui Worthy Jr. assists)
  31. 2nd Half57-61De'Undrae Perteete Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
  32. 2nd Half57-63Hosana Kitenge makes layup
  33. 2nd Half58-63Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
  34. 2nd Half59-63Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
  35. 2nd Half59-65Aidan Mahaney makes layup
  36. 2nd Half59-66Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
  37. 2nd Half59-67Zion Sensley makes free throw 1 of 2
  38. 2nd Half59-68Zion Sensley makes free throw 2 of 2
  39. 2nd Half59-69Zion Sensley makes free throw 1 of 2
  40. 2nd Half59-70Zion Sensley makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, below favours UC Riverside Highlanders.

Venue

  • The ThunderdomeSanta Barbara, CA
  • Attendance2026
  • OfficialsRandy McCall, Ed Crenshaw Jr., Layne Barney

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Fixture data from the league feeds. The report was written from the recorded facts for this game and nothing else.