SAN DIEGO (AP) Freshman Alex Harris scored eight points in overtime, including consecutive 3-pointers, and UC Santa Barbara beat San Diego State 80-72 in a sloppy opener for both teams on Friday night.
San Diego State's Marcus Slaughter brought the Aztecs back all by himself, scoring their final 16 points of regulation and forcing overtime with a put-back at the buzzer to tie it at 63-all.
The Aztecs then missed their first four shots of overtime, including one by Slaughter.
Slaughter, a sophomore forward who led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, didn't score in overtime before fouling out with 17.2 seconds left.
The Gauchos, missing two starters due to injuries, took control in OT with a 3-pointer by Chrismen Oliver and two by Harris. They made eight straight free throws in the final minute.
Josh Davis led the Gauchos with 18 points, Oliver had 17, and Harris and Casey Cook had 15 apiece.
Brandon Heath and Chris Manker had 17 each for San Diego St.
UCSB went on a 9-0 run to take a 55-47 lead with 6:09 left in regulation. Slaughter converted a three-point play with 5:43 left to start his run.
Slaughter made a layup with 45.8 seconds left to pull the Aztecs to 63-61. Oliver missed an off-balance shot and Slaughter got the rebound with 7.5 seconds left. After a time-out, Heath missed a layup but Slaughter grabbed the rebound and put up a buzzer-beater.
UCSB won despite missing two starters and four of its top nine players due to injuries.
Slaughter made 12 of 14 free throws, all in the second half.
The Aztecs shot just 38.8 percent and had 19 turnovers.
