Gauchos Open Season With 85-55 Win
UCSB men's basketball opened the season with a comfortable victory over San Francisco State at the Thunderdome.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
UCSB men's basketball defeated San Francisco State 85-55 at the Thunderdome in its season opener. Antonio Choi led the Gauchos with 13 points, and fourteen UCSB players scored at least 2 points.
Why it matters
The opening result gives UCSB an early statistical baseline, with 55 bench points, 40 points in the paint, and 18 assists in the win. Cal Poly also opened its season the same week, making the early results a shared local talking point for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo basketball fans.
UCSB finished the opener with 55 bench points, 40 paint points, 18 assists, and 10 steals, while Antonio Choi led all scorers with 13 points. Cal Poly's men's team also won its opener 78-62 over Cal State San Marcos, with Cayden Ward recording a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The players
Antonio Choi
Antonio Choi is a UCSB men's basketball player who led the Gauchos with 13 points in their season-opening win.
Cayden Ward
Cayden Ward is a Cal Poly men's basketball player who recorded his fifth career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Hamad Mousa
Hamad Mousa is a Cal Poly men's basketball player who scored a game-high 18 points in the season opener.
The details
UCSB built its lead with a balanced scoring effort, as fourteen players recorded at least two points in the 85-55 win over San Francisco State. The Gauchos' win was one of several season-opening results across the region, including Cal Poly men's and women's victories on the same weekend.
Timeline
- November 3, 2026: UCSB men's basketball defeats San Francisco State 85-55 in its season opener.
- November 7, 2026, 1 p.m.: UCSB hosts Oakland University at the Thunderdome.
Season Trajectory
UCSB's opening win sets an early tone for a season that will be judged in part on how the roster performs against non-conference opponents. Cal Poly's season-opening results from the same weekend add a second local storyline, giving Central Coast basketball fans an early comparison between the two programs.
Fans planning to attend the Thunderdome can watch UCSB's next home game against Oakland University on Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m. The early results also give fantasy and bracket followers two early Central Coast box scores to track, including Antonio Choi's 13 points for UCSB and Cayden Ward's double-double for Cal Poly.
The takeaway
Early-season box scores can reveal depth before conference play begins, and UCSB's win showed contributions from fourteen players. Watching bench output and rebounding margins in the next few games will show whether that balance holds.
What happens next
UCSB hosts Oakland University at the Thunderdome on Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m.
Further reading
For more on the Gauchos' season, see Basketball coverage for Santa Barbara.
