LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging UC Santa Barbara team visits a resurgent Long Beach State squad in a key Big West Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at the Walter Pyramid.

The Gauchos (12-7, 4-2 Big West) have won three straight, including a dominant 107-67 victory over Cal Poly on Thursday. They are led by guard Miro Little, who is coming off a 12-point, 11-assist performance in that win. Over his last four games, Little is averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 assists, providing steady playmaking for one of the league’s top offenses.

The 49ers (8-12, 4-2), however, have found their footing in conference play, winning three of their last four. Their resurgence is powered by the high-scoring guard Gavin Sykes, who is averaging 24.3 points over his last three contests. Sykes erupted for a career-high 34 points in an 87-80 road win at Cal State Northridge on Jan. 17.

This game is a quick rematch of a thrilling overtime contest from Dec. 4, which UC Santa Barbara won 84-77 at home. In that game, the Gauchos overcame a late deficit to force overtime before pulling away.

Saturday’s contest features a stark contrast in momentum. UC Santa Barbara has won seven of its last nine and appears to be hitting its stride. Long Beach State, after a difficult non-conference slate, has played its way back into the conference race with recent offensive explosions, scoring 80 or more points in three straight wins.

The matchup at point guard will be critical. Little’s control and distribution for UCSB will be tested by Sykes’ explosive scoring ability for Long Beach State. The 49ers will need another big night from Sykes and must improve a defense that allows a conference-worst 78.2 points per game to slow down a balanced Gauchos attack.

With both teams sitting at 4-2 in the Big West, the result will provide early positioning in the conference standings ahead of the second half of league play.

Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. PST on Saturday, Jan. 24.