PORTLAND, Ore. — In a commanding performance, UC Santa Barbara secured a decisive 94-53 victory over Portland on Saturday evening, with standout player Jason Fontenet II contributing significantly. Fontenet showcased his skills, scoring an impressive 21 points while shooting an efficient 8-of-9 from the field, including a remarkable 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Gauchos improved their record to 2-0 for the season.

Alongside Fontenet, Kenny Pohto added 16 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Deuce Turner chipped in with 15 points, going 6-of-11 overall and hitting 3-of-6 from three-point territory. This collective effort helped UC Santa Barbara maintain control throughout the game.

For the Pilots, Vukasin Masic was the top performer, netting 24 points, along with contributing five assists and two steals. A. Rapp made a valuable contribution as well, finishing with eight points and seven rebounds for Portland. Mezziah Oakman also joined the scoring effort with seven points of his own.

The Gauchos took the lead with 11:15 left in the first half and never looked back from that point onward. Fontenet’s scoring prowess was on display early, as he led the team with 13 points in the first half, propelling UC Santa Barbara to a solid 47-28 advantage by halftime.

With this victory, UCSB demonstrated their potential as they continue their season, while Portland will look to regroup after this setback.