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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Coming off a 3-0 week, the UC Santa Barbara Men’s Basketball team looks to continue their winning ways as they enter Bold Week. The Gauchos will host Long Beach State and Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
 
PROMOTIONS
For Thursday’s game against Long Beach State fans are encouraged to wear their Gaucho Blue as UC Santa Barbara looks to Blue Out the Thunderdome. During Saturday’s contest the Gauchos ask fans to bring a new or unused Tedd Bear for the Lexus Halftime Teddy Bear Toss. All teddy bears thrown on the court at halftime will be donated to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
 
ABOUT LAST WEEK
The Gauchos had a perfect 3-0 week last week as they defeated Nobel University on Monday before taking down Lehigh and Seattle U in the Resorts World Las Vegas Classic. The Gauchos wins over Lehigh and Seattle U earned them the inaugural championship in the event.
 
SCOUTING THE BEACH
Long Beach is coming off a strong performance as they rallied to beat San Diego on Sunday afternoon. The Beach held San Diego to just four points in the final nine minutes of the game to come out with their second win of the season.  Freshman Gavin Skyes led the way as he was the first freshman since 1990 to record a 30-point game as a freshman.
 
Two Beach players are averaging double-figures in Gavin Skyes (14.8) and Syracuse transfer Petar Majstorovic (12.6). The duo has combined for nearly 40 percent of Long Beach’s scoring so far this season. After a slow start to the season shooting the ball, the Beach have shot 42 percent or better from the floor in each of their last five games.
 
For the second straight season the Beach have faced a big rebuild as they brought back just one player while adding 13 to its roster.
 
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
Cal State Bakersfield enters the week 4-4 and winners in two of their last three. The Roadrunners are coming off a 76-71 win over Mountain West foe, Fresno State. Prior to visiting Santa Barbara CSUB will travel to Northridge before continuing up the 101 to the Central Coast.
 
Three ‘Runners are currently averaging in double-figures in Dailin Smith (17.4), CJ Hardy (14.4) and Ronald Jessamy (10.8). Smith and Hardy both rank inside the top 15 in scoring in the Big West. Hardy and Jessamy are shooting 55 percent from the floor combined and over 42 percent from beyond the arc.
 
In two of their four wins the Roadrunners have allowed less than 65 points and currently rank 19th nationally in blocks per game averaging almost six per contest. The team also does a good job at drawing contact as they are a top 30 team in free throw attempts per game and top 50 in free throws made per contest. Additionally, they guard the three-point line well limiting teams to shoot less than 30 percent so far this season.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Both games will tip off at 6 p.m. inside The Thunderdome. For those unable to attend the games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available.