Gauchos pass first test on season as they beat LMU
UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After blasting two overmatched NAIA teams, UCSB faced an early season test against a Loyola Marymount team that routed Long Beach State by 24 and lost by three points at Minnesota.
Although the Gauchos were outrebounded by 19, they beat the Lions 69-58 to move to 3-0 on the young season.
Senior JaQuori McLaughlin scored a team-high 19 points and five assists while Miles Norris stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and two steals.
The Gauchos led 34-24 at the half but struggled scoring for much of the second half and the Lions got as close as 46-43 behind Eli Scott and Keli Leaupepe.
Scott scored a game-high 31 points with 12 rebounds while Leaupepe added 14 points.
After missing their first four free throws of the second half, UCSB made their next 14 to close out the victory.
Junior Amadou Sow scored 12 points before fouling out.
The two teams meet again on Saturday, December 12 in Los Angeles.
