SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal Big West Conference rematch awaits Saturday when the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos host the Cal State Fullerton Titans at the Thunderdome.

The Gauchos (13-7, 4-3 Big West), who sit in the upper tier of the conference standings, look to avenge a Jan. 1 loss to the Titans and protect their home court. UCSB has won four of its last five games, most recently edging Long Beach State 74-71 on the road last Saturday. Guard Aidan Mahaney, a key transfer, leads the charge, averaging 17.3 points over his last three contests and scoring 21 in the win at Long Beach State.

Cal State Fullerton (10-12, 4-4) enters with momentum after a 93-78 road victory at Cal Poly last Saturday. The Titans have shown a pattern of following losses with wins, and they handed the Gauchos an 84-95 defeat in the teams’ first meeting this season. Guard Josh Ward has been instrumental, posting 18 points, seven assists and three blocks against Cal Poly and averaging 19.3 points over his last three games.

The matchup features two of the conference’s top guards in Ward and Mahaney. Ward’s playmaking will be tested against a UCSB defense that has held opponents to an average of 66.2 points during its recent 4-1 stretch. The Titans, however, have proven they can score in bunches, putting up 95 points on the Gauchos earlier this month.

UCSB holds a significant advantage in the overall season record and will rely on the home atmosphere of the Thunderdome, where they are 8-2 this season. A win would solidify their conference positioning, while Fullerton seeks to climb above .500 in league play and complete a regular-season sweep.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.