SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday, Deuce Turner contributed significantly off the bench, scoring 24 points to lead UC Santa Barbara to a narrow 91-86 victory over Fresno State.

Turner’s performance was impressive, as he hit 4 of 10 shots from the field, including 1 of 5 from beyond the arc, while also converting 15 of his 16 free-throw attempts. This win improved the Gauchos’ record to 3-0. Other notable performances for UCSB included Jason Fontenet II, who added 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Colin Smith who scored 17 points, making 6 of 12 attempts from the floor, including 2 of 5 from three-point range, while also being perfect from the line with three successful free throws.

On the opposing side, the Bulldogs, now standing at 1-1, saw Amar Augillard lead their scoring efforts with 21 points along with two steals. Mykell Robinson contributed another 16 points for Fresno State, while Zaon Collins added 15 points, dishing out four assists and making six steals in the contest.

During the game, Turner was particularly impactful in the first half, where he racked up 11 points, helping the Gauchos secure a slim lead of 37-34 by halftime. Smith further fueled the team’s offense in the second half, scoring 15 pivotal points to push UCSB to their victory.