The last time UC Santa Barbara beat UNLV, the Gauchos earned quite a prize - the school's first-ever invitation to the NCAA tournament. They're hoping it works again.
UCSB took a giant step forward in its bid to join the NCAA field by beating No. 2 UNLV 78-70 Monday night. It was victory No. 19 for the Gauchos, who extended UNLV before losing 69-67 at Las Vegas earlier in the season."I think it will help get us in the tournament," Coach Jerry Pimm said after UCSB handed UNLV its fifth loss in 29 games. "We're just hoping the committee will see four teams from the Big West."
With UNLV a tournament shoo-in and New Mexico State (23-3) also a strong candidate, UCSB figures to rate only third in the fast-improving Big West. Long Beach State (18-7) would appear to rate fourth in the league because of double defeats against UNLV and UCSB.
"They played tired," Pimm said. "They should be tired with the schedule they're playing (11 games in 26 days). I hoped they would be tired."
UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian preferred to credit UC Santa Barbara with a game well played . . ." Santa Barbara just played better.
Ohio St. 86, No. 18 Illinois 80
Jim Jackson matched his career high with 28 points and Perry Carter scored 14 of his 18 in the second half and grabbed 13 rebounds for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 14-11 overall and 8-7 in the Big Ten, with games remaining against Northwestern, Indiana and Minnesota.