UC Riverside 76, Cal State Fullerton 59 Box Score
Fullerton—Kyle Austin put on an offensive clinic Saturday evening at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Gym pouring in a career-high 35 points as the Highlanders ended a three-game losing streak with a 76-59 win over the Titans. It was the second most points scored by a UCR player in the Division I era. Rickey Porter set that mark when he scored 40 at Pacific on January 7, 2006. (
Listen to highlights from the game)
The Highlanders got off to a quick start scoring 13 of the first 16 to lead by 10, 13-3, with 15:29 to go in the first. Cal State Fullerton recovered quickly, however, scoring the next seven points to cut the UCR lead to three, 13-10. They reduced the lead to two on four other occasions in the half, but the Highlanders ended the period on a 12-5 to take a nine-point advantage, 36-27 into the locker room.
Austin carried most of the scoring load in the first for UC Riverside as he led all scorers with 21 points, hitting 7 of 10 from the field, 2 of 2 from three-point range and 5 of 5 from the free throw line. It was the second-highest scoring half of the year for Austin who scored 22 in the second period against San Diego on December 4, 2009.
The Highlanders dominated the glass in the first as well, outrebounding the Titans 20-8 including 6-0 on the offensive end.
UC Riverside never trailed by more than six in the second half, pushing their lead past double digits for good with 5:18 to go in the game. In addition to his 35 points, Austin also added 11 rebounds. Larry Gurganious joined him with 11 boards of his own.
Aaron Thompson led three Cal State Fullerton players in double figures with 16 points, Jacques Streeter added 13 and Bryce Webster chipped in with 11.
The Highlanders have the week off leading up to their Homecoming Game on Saturday, February 13 against Cal Poly. Tip time is scheduled for 5:00 pm PT at the Student Recreation Center.