SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) -Orlando Johnson scored 24 points, James Nunnally added 20 and UC Santa Barbara held off Pacific for a 68-67 victory Sunday.
The Gauchos (8-6, 3-1 Big West) led by nine with just over five minutes to play before their lead evaporated to 68-66 with 24 seconds remaining.
After Santa Barbara turned the ball over, Joe Ford went to the free-throw line for the Tigers (9-6, 2-1) with 20 seconds left and a chance to tie, but he missed the first before making the second.
Pacific got the ball back with 7 seconds remaining after Jon Pastorek missed two free throws for the Gauchos, but the Tigers turned the ball over.
Demetrece Young and Terrell Smith each scored 16 points to lead Pacific.
Santa Barbara ended the first half with a 14-3 run for a 32-23 lead. The Gauchos pushed their advantage to as many as 13 in the second half.
