LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a game defined by contrasting styles and a frantic final minute, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos edged the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in a non-conference men’s basketball thriller at Orleans Arena on Friday.

The Gauchos secured a 72-70 victory in a contest that saw them overcome a prolific three-point shooting performance from Lehigh with superior work on the glass and at the free-throw line.

The game was a tale of two halves and two different approaches. UC Santa Barbara struggled mightily from beyond the arc, converting just two of its 12 three-point attempts. Lehigh, conversely, found its mark from deep, sinking 11 of 27 shots from long range. However, the Gauchos’ ability to attack the basket and draw fouls proved decisive. They attempted 32 free throws, making 28, while Lehigh went 21 for 23 from the line.

The difference was also stark on the backboards. UC Santa Barbara dominated the offensive glass, hauling in 15 offensive rebounds that led to numerous second-chance opportunities. Lehigh managed just four offensive rebounds. The Gauchos also forced the action defensively, recording 10 steals and forcing 12 Lehigh turnovers, while committing only eight themselves.

Lehigh held a narrow 34-33 lead at halftime, fueled by its outside shooting. The second half remained a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to build a significant lead.

The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded in the final 20 seconds. With UC Santa Barbara clinging to a one-point lead, Lehigh’s Nasir Whitlock connected on a deep three-pointer, giving the Mountain Hawks a 70-69 advantage with just 11 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Gauchos inbounded the ball and immediately put it in the hands of their point guard, Miro Little. Driving into the frontcourt, Little was fouled by Lehigh’s Peter Kramer with three seconds left, sending the sophomore from Finland to the free-throw line for two shots.

Amid the pressure, Little calmly sank both free throws to put UC Santa Barbara back in front, 71-70. Lehigh called a timeout to advance the ball, but their ensuing inbounds pass was deflected, and the Gauchos secured the victory. Little was credited with a final free throw after a dead-ball foul as time expired to account for the final margin.

Little led the Gauchos with 20 points, including the two clutch free throws that sealed the win. He added two assists and a block in 33 minutes of action. Hosana Kitenge provided a strong interior presence with 12 points, while Zion Sensley added 10.

Lehigh was carried by the outstanding performance of Hank Alvey. The 6-foot-9 forward from Mapleton, Illinois, scored 22 points and was a force on both ends, recording two blocks. Nasir Whitlock complemented him with 21 points and three assists, including the late three-pointer that briefly gave the Mountain Hawks the lead. Jalen Vazquez facilitated the offense with five assists.

With the win, UC Santa Barbara improved its season record to 5-2. The Gauchos will return to California to host Long Beach State on Dec. 4. Lehigh fell to 2-6 and will remain in Las Vegas to face the Seattle Redhawks on Saturday.