HONOLULU — In an exciting matchup on Thursday night, UC Santa Barbara triumphed over Hawaii with a close score of 64-61, largely thanks to the performance of Stephan D. Swenson, who scored 21 points for the Gauchos.
Swenson also contributed significantly by dishing out seven assists, showcasing his all-around play as UC Santa Barbara improved to a record of 9-5 overall, and 1-2 in conference play within the Big West Conference.

Deuce Turner added to the team’s effort with 10 points, making 4 of his 12 shot attempts, including 2 from the three-point line. Jason Fontenet II equaled Turner’s scoring output, finishing with 10 points as well, albeit on a 3 for 10 shooting performance while navigating the three-point range with 2 of 8 successful shots.

On the other side of the court, Tanner Christensen led the Rainbow Warriors with 15 points in a valiant effort. Hawaii’s Gytis Nemeiksa made a notable impact as well, putting up 13 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking two shots. Ryan Rapp contributed effectively to the cause, scoring 10 points and securing seven rebounds to help maintain pressure throughout the game.

As the season progresses, both teams look to refine their strategies as they continue to battle within the competitive landscape of collegiate basketball.