Thursday, March 6th, 10:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: The Matadome (1,600) -- Northridge, California. Television: None. Home Record: UCSB 11-3, CSN 9-2. Away Record: UCSB 8-4, CSN 9-5. Neutral Record: UCSB 2-0, CSN 1-1. Conference Record: UCSB 10-4, CSN 11-3. Series Record: UC Santa Barbara leads, 26-9.

GAME NOTES: The Cal State Northridge Matadors will try to keep their place atop the Big West standings, as they entertain the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in a key matchup tonight. The Matadors have controlled the BWC this season and with just two outings left, they hold only a one-game lead in the loss department over both Cal State Fullerton and tonight's opponent, UCSB, at 11-3. CSN however, could have put itself in position to claim the outright title tonight, but instead it was upended at UC Irvine, 82-66, on Saturday. It was the second loss in the past three games by the Matadors, as they fell to a still solid 19-8 overall. As for UCSB, it took advantage of CSN's loss over the weekend by posting a 73-55 victory over UC Riverside. The win was the fourth straight in conference play for the Gauchos, who upped their marks to 21-7 overall and 10-4 within the league. UCSB has been surprisingly effective on the road this season, recording a 5-1 ledger against conference foes. The Gauchos lead the all-time series with CSN, 26-9, but the Matadors captured an 88-84 victory in the first meeting of the season.

The Gauchos are averaging a respectable 70.2 ppg and they are one of the better shooting teams in the league, knocking down 45.7 percent of their tries from the floor, 41.9 percent from downtown and 76.9 percent at the foul line. Alex Harris led UCSB and ranks second in the in scoring with 20.1 ppg and he is shooting 44.6 percent form beyond the arc. James Powell drains 46.6 percent of his long-range attempts for an average of 12.4 ppg, while Chris Devine contributes 12.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg. In the team's last outing, Powell made good on 7-of-8 shots from three-point land and he ended up with 24 points in a triumph over UC Riverside. Harris posted 18 points and five boards for UCSB, which hit on 53.1. percent of its attempts from the floor and 11-of-19 from long distance.

The Matadors are one of the most explosive teams among the BWC members, as they are netting a hardy 78.1 ppg on 46.0 percent shooting from the field. Deon Tresvant hasn't started a game, but he still paces this balanced attack with 13.3 ppg on 40.8 percent shooting from long range. Jonathan Heard ranks second in both scoring (11.6 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg), and Calvin Chitwood adds 10.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg to the mix. Josh Jenkins chips in 10.4 ppg and dishes out a league-best 6.5 apg, while Tremaine Townsend nearly averages a double-double with 10.2 ppg and a conference-high 9.7 rpg. In the squad's prior outing, CSN turned the ball over 16 times and was outscored at the foul line, 25-6, in a loss at UC Irvine. Tresvant guided the team in defeat with 18 points, while Jenkins posted 13 points and four helpers. Townsend also got involved, recording a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

This is as big of a game as it gets for both programs, as the BWC picture will become a lot clearly after tonight's bout. The Matadors have the luxury of hosting this game and that should help them outlast a tough UCSB club tonight.

Predicted Outcome

Cal State Northridge 82, UC Santa Barbara 77