SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging Hawaii team visits a struggling UC Santa Barbara squad in a key Big West Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at the Thunderdome.

The Warriors (12-3, 3-1 Big West) enter on a high note after a dramatic 67-66 home victory over UC Irvine last Saturday. Hawaii has won eight of its last nine games, with its only loss in that stretch a 10-point road defeat at UC San Diego on Jan. 3.

The Gauchos (9-7, 1-3), picked by many to contend for the conference title, are looking to stop a three-game skid. All three losses have come in league play, most recently a 93-86 home defeat to UC Davis on Jan. 8 where their defense faltered.

Hawaii’s success has been built on balance and defense. In the win over UC Irvine, Isaac Johnson posted 15 points and two blocks off the bench, while Harry Rouhliadeff added 14 points. Guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, a player to watch, facilitates the offense, averaging 7.3 assists over his last three games despite a quiet scoring night against the Anteaters.

UC Santa Barbara possesses high-powered scorers but has been unable to consistently get stops. Guard Miro Little is coming off a 20-point, five-assist performance against UC Davis. Backcourt mates CJ Shaw (18 points) and Aidan Mahaney (16 points) also provided firepower in that loss, but the Gauchos allowed 93 points.

The matchup pits Hawaii’s conference-leading defense, allowing just 62.7 points per game in Big West play, against a UCSB offense that has averaged 81.3 points in its last three outings. The Warriors will aim to control the tempo, while the Gauchos seek to push the pace and leverage their home court to reverse their fortunes.

Saturday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in Honolulu on Feb. 21.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PST at the Thunderdome on the UC Santa Barbara campus.