Last week, league-leading UC Santa Barbara (12-1) lost its first conference game this season and its first conference road game since 2006. Benefiting most from the Gauchos' loss was UC Riverside, who sits second in the Big West standings with an 11-1 record. The two teams square off in the final week of action on the Highlanders home court - the Student Recreation Center. Until then, UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside have two very different lineups in the week ahead.
The Gauchos take a short break from league play with a midweek tilt against Pac-10's Oregon State. UC Santa Barbara looks to keep its nine-game home win streak intact when it welcomes the Beavers to The Thunderdome Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m. They return to the court Saturday afternoon to face Big West competitor Cal State Northridge, a team that snapped a six-game skid with a win over Cal State Fullerton last weekend. The Gauchos won the earlier meeting, 75-58, and leads the all-time series with a 30-12 mark.
While the Gauchos have the luxury of playing in front of their home crowd, the Highlanders, who are riding a school-best 11-game win streak, wrap up a three-game road trip with a visit to Orange Country to battle Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine. Looking to get back to their winning ways, the Titans entertain the Highlanders Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Two days later, the Bren Center hosts the UC Irvine-UC Riverside showdown at 4:00 p.m. The Highlanders defeated both teams back in January by a combined 34 points.
After dropping three of the first five Big West contests of the season, Cal Poly has picked up steam in the second half of the schedule and strung together eight wins over the past nine contests. The Mustangs, who currently sit third in the Big West standings with a 9-4 record, return to Mott Gym to host their final two games of the season. They open the week with a matchup against Cal State Northridge Thursday evening and then face nonconference foe Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday.
Pacific has posted an impressive 12-2 home record, but unfortunately the Tigers play their final three contests of the 2008-09 season on the road. They kick off the road trip with a short car ride to UC Davis for a 7:00 p.m. tip on Saturday. Pacific won the tightly-contested battle back on Jan. 31 by a score of 63-60. Prior to hosting Pacific, the UC Davis Aggies welcome Cal State Bakersfield to The Pavilion Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. start.
The 49ers of Long Beach State play their final road contest of the season Thursday evening when they visit the Bren Center to tackle UC Irvine. With one win over the 49ers already under their belt, the Anteaters hope to open their three-game homestand with its second straight victory. UC Irvine snapped a four-game losing streak last week with a win over Cal State Northridge.
Following their trip down the 405, the 49ers return home for their final three regular season contests. They open the stint with a matchup with Cal State Fullerton Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Long Beach State won the previous meeting, 54-51.