The Glendale Vaqueros showed resilience at home on December 20, cutting into a first-half deficit but ultimately falling 61–54 to Santa Barbara. After trailing 34–21 at halftime, Glendale responded with a strong second half, outscoring Santa Barbara 33–27 and keeping the game within reach until the final minutes.

Omree Bentov led all Vaqueros with 19 points and a team-high nine rebounds, adding two steals and anchoring Glendale's second-half surge. Brandon Blair contributed across the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, and five assists while logging 37 minutes. Jacob Allen added nine points and five rebounds, and Hunter Smith provided energy off the bench with six points, five rebounds, and four steals.

Glendale was efficient at the line, knocking down nearly 89 percent of its free throws, and controlled the glass throughout the game, a sign of sharper execution in the second half. Even in the loss, the Vaqueros' strong finish and team-wide contributions reflected their competitiveness and continued progress as the season moves forward.