UC Santa Barbara romps past UC Irvine, 80-60

Published Jan. 31, 2014 12:30 a.m. ET

foxsports

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) Alan Williams pumped in 26 points as UC Santa Barbara romped past UC Irvine, 80-60 Thursday night.

The Gauchos built a 10-point lead in the first half, then padded it down the stretch to pull even with the Anteaters atop the Big West Conference standings at 4-2.

UC Santa Barbara started the game on a 13-0 run, capped by Zalmico Harmon's 3-pointer three minutes into the game.

Williams with 10 of 17 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead UC Santa Barbara (13-6, 4-2 Big West), which shot 49 percent from the field (24 of 49) and held a 41-33 edge on the boards. Taran Brown added 16 points and six boards for the Gauchos.

Luke Nelson scored 26 points to lead UC Irvine (13-9, 4-2), hitting 6 of 15 from long range while the Anteaters struggled from the field, hitting just 20 of 56 shots (35.7 percent).