HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team saw its three-game win streak come to a close with a 59-50 loss to UC Santa Barbra Friday night at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 7-6 overall and 5-6 in the Big West.
 
The Gauchos (13-3, 7-2 Big West), meanwhile, kept their winning ways going with their ninth straight victory. Coupled with UC Irvine's loss earlier in the day, UCSB's win gave it sole possession of first-place in the Big West.
 
Both teams entered the game with offensive prowess, but the game turned to be a defensive slugfest. The 'Bows held the Gauchos to just 37 percent shooting and 20 points below their average. But UCSB trumped the 'Bows by holding UH to season lows in points and field goal percentage (.333).
 
James Jean-Marie was the only Rainbow Warrior to finish in double-digit scoring with 10 points. Amadou Sow and Jaquori McLaughlin led UCSB with 14 points a piece.
 
UH came out of the gates strong and led 12-10 eight minutes into the game. But UH then fell into a seven-minute scoring drought in what would be the decisive stretch of the game. The Gauchos reeled off 14 unanswered points to take a double-digit lead before eventually taking a 28-20 lead at the break.
 
UCSB built its lead to as many as 13 points early in the second half. UH chipped away and cut the deficit to four points on a pair of occasions, but could never get over the hump. The Gauchos outscored UH 36-18 in the paint and 16-4 off of turnovers.  
 
The teams will tangle again on Saturday for the second game of the series. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.