Gauchos open up Big West play with a hard-fought win over rival Cal Poly

Devearl Ramsey scored a team-high 19 points and JaQuori McLaughlin added 16 points as UCSB began Big West Conference play with a 65-56 victory over rival Cal Poly in front of a season-high 4,816 fans at the Thunderdome.

Cal Poly was led by Donovan Fields who tallied 19 points. His three-pointer with just under 10 minutes to play tied the game at 46.

But UCSB immediately went on an 8-0 run as they improved to 12-3 on the year which is their best start since the 1988-89 season when they began 15-1.

Cal Poly dropped to 4-10 on the year.