NCAAB · Final

Cal State Northridge Defeats UC Santa Barbara 74-65

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Premier America Credit Union Arena

Cal State Northridge Matadors 74, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 65, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

Next free pick (not the main pick)

The next free pick, for your email

Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.

Unlock today's pick in Telegram →

or by email

Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick

One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.

Get the daily free pick · See plans

Quick answers

Who won UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors?

Cal State Northridge Matadors beat UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 74-65 at Premier America Credit Union Arena on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors?

Cal State Northridge Matadors were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The favorite won.

In a competitive matchup, the Cal State Northridge Matadors secured a 74-65 victory over the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at the Premier America Credit Union Arena. This win marked a crucial moment for the Matadors, who improved their record to 10-7, while the Gauchos fell to 9-7.

Both teams entered the game with similar records, with Cal State Northridge at 9-7 and UC Santa Barbara at 9-6. The Matadors had a mixed recent form of 5-5 over their last ten games, but they had struggled recently, losing their last two games. In contrast, the Gauchos had a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, although they were coming off a loss against the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The Matadors had averaged 79.7 points scored and 78.2 points allowed over their last ten games, while the Gauchos averaged 76.7 points scored and 71.9 points allowed.

At home, the Matadors had a strong record of 4-1, while the Gauchos struggled on the road with a record of 1-4. This home advantage played a significant role in the outcome of the game. In their previous meetings, the Matadors had won two out of three encounters against the Gauchos, including a notable 103-77 victory earlier in the season.

In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any key players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this important clash. The betting market reflected a close contest, with DraftKings setting the spread at CSUN -2.5 and the total at 156.5, indicating expectations for a competitive game.

The conditions at the Premier America Credit Union Arena were conducive to a high-scoring affair, and the teams delivered with exciting plays throughout the match. Key moments in the second half included free throws from Jordan Brinson and Josiah Davis, which helped the Matadors maintain their lead. CJ Shaw also contributed significantly with a three-pointer and a driving layup, showcasing his scoring ability when it mattered most.

Ultimately, the Matadors' strong performance at home and their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities led them to a decisive victory over the Gauchos, reinforcing their position in the league.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	CSUN -2.5	156.5 o -108 / u -112	UC Santa Barbara Gauchos +114 · Cal State Northridge Matadors -135

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

Leaders

PointsLarry Hughes II23Cal State Northridge Matadors
AssistsJosiah Davis4Cal State Northridge Matadors
ReboundsMahmoud Fofana11Cal State Northridge Matadors
PointsCJ Shaw20UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
AssistsMarvin McGhee IV3UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
ReboundsZion Sensley7UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

Recent form

Cal State Northridge Matadors

Last 10: 5-5Streak L279.7 scored · 78.2 allowed per game4-1 at home

L80-89at UC Davis AggiesJan 1
L80-88at Stanford CardinalDec 28
W100-88vs Sacramento State HornetsDec 23
W88-53vs La Sierra Golden EaglesDec 19
W88-66at Delaware Blue HensDec 13
W89-87vs Fresno State BulldogsDec 11
L71-85at UC Irvine AnteatersDec 7
W87-66vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersDec 5
L50-82at Idaho State BengalsNov 28
L64-78vs Idaho VandalsNov 27

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

Last 10: 6-4Streak L176.7 scored · 71.9 allowed per game1-4 away

L84-95at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 2
W79-61vs Portland PilotsDec 22
L64-67at Green Bay PhoenixDec 18
L53-68at Utah Valley WolverinesDec 13
W109-84vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersDec 7
W84-77vs Long Beach State BeachDec 5
W74-71vs Seattle U RedhawksNov 29
W72-70at Lehigh Mountain HawksNov 28
W84-49vs Nobel KnightsNov 25
L64-77at Nevada Wolf PackNov 22

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 Santa Barbara Gauchos	Cal State Northridge Matadors
Field goals	21-61	24-49
Field goal %	34	49
Three-pointers	6-30	3-18
Three-point %	20	17
Free throws	17-20	23-37
Free throw %	85	62
Rebounds	34	43
Offensive rebounds	10	11
Defensive rebounds	24	32
Assists	10	16
Steals	7	8
Blocks	2	2
Turnovers	14	16
Team turnovers	1	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	10	16
Fast-break points	12	14
Points in the paint	30	36
Fouls	30	20
Largest lead	0	14
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	94

How the scoring went

2nd Half34-43Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Joshua O'Garro assists)
2nd Half36-43Koat Keat Tong makes layup (Zion Sensley assists)
2nd Half36-45Joshua O'Garro makes driving layup
2nd Half37-45Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half38-45Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half38-47Joshua O'Garro makes driving layup
2nd Half40-47CJ Shaw makes driving layup
2nd Half41-47CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half41-48James Evans Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-48CJ Shaw makes driving layup
2nd Half45-48CJ Shaw makes driving layup
2nd Half45-50Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (James Evans Jr. assists)
2nd Half47-50CJ Shaw makes driving layup
2nd Half47-52Larry Hughes II makes 7-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half48-52Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half49-52Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-52Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-54Josiah Davis makes layup
2nd Half53-54Marvin McGhee IV makes 25-foot three point jumper (CJ Shaw assists)
2nd Half53-56Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Larry Hughes II assists)
2nd Half56-56Zion Sensley makes 25-foot three point jumper (Marvin McGhee IV assists)
2nd Half56-57Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-59Josiah Davis makes driving layup
2nd Half58-59Marvin McGhee IV makes layup
2nd Half58-61Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Josiah Davis assists)
2nd Half58-62Joshua O'Garro makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-63Joshua O'Garro makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-65Josiah Davis makes driving layup
2nd Half58-67Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Joshua O'Garro assists)
2nd Half58-68Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-68CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-68CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-69Jordan Brinson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-70Jordan Brinson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-70CJ Shaw makes 27-foot three point jumper
2nd Half63-71Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-72Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-72CJ Shaw makes driving layup
2nd Half65-73Larry Hughes II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-74Larry Hughes II makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Cal State Northridge Matadors, below favours UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.