Saturday, December 29
Los Angeles, CA
5:00 PM
UC Riverside
57
at
70
USC (#24)
Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Ends With Tough Loss To #24 USC
12/29/2007 11:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Los Angeles, CA—UC Riverside wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a tough 70-57 loss to the #24 University of Southern California Trojans (9-3) at the Galen Center in Los Angeles Saturday night. Senior Larry Cunningham led the way for the Highlanders (3-8) with a team-high 19 points.
The Highlanders jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair of three-point baskets. The first coming from sophomore Sean Cunningham and the second from Larry Cunningham as they led 10-8 over the Trojans through the first four and a half minutes.
UCR continued to build the lead through the first half. The Trojans turned the ball over a total of seven times that the Highlanders turned into 10 points. Following a four-point play by Larry Cunningham, the Riverside lead reached 14 points with 8:12 remaining in the half.
USC then answered with an 11-2 run to cut the lead back down to within one with 3:24 remaining. The Trojans regained the lead, 32-32, on a pair of free throws by Daniel Hackett. The teams went into half time tied 34-34 after Larry Cunningham knotted the game with his fourth three-pointer of the half. The Highlanders made six of their 10 shots (60.0 %) from behind the arc in the first half.
The teams traded baskets through the first six minutes of the second half. Following a dunk by Taj Gibson the Trojans again led 44-43 at 14:54 mark. UCR struggled to keep pace with the up-tempo game of the Trojans as USC out scored the Highlanders 11-0 on fast break points through out the game.
The young Highlander offense continued to battle but failed get through a tough Trojan defense in the second half as their shooting went cold in the closing minutes. Finishing the game 19-for-58 (32.8%). USC used an 11-3 run to close out the game, holding the Highlanders zero field goal makes in the final 7:52.
Freshman Jalonni Diggs added 10 points and Sean Cunningham brought down a team-high seven boards for Riverside. USC was led by freshman standout O.J. Mayo who led all scorers with game-highs of 20 points and eight rebounds.
The Highlanders will hit the road to open Big West Conference play with games next week at Pacific on Wednesday and at UC Davis on Saturday.
The Highlanders jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair of three-point baskets. The first coming from sophomore Sean Cunningham and the second from Larry Cunningham as they led 10-8 over the Trojans through the first four and a half minutes.
UCR continued to build the lead through the first half. The Trojans turned the ball over a total of seven times that the Highlanders turned into 10 points. Following a four-point play by Larry Cunningham, the Riverside lead reached 14 points with 8:12 remaining in the half.
USC then answered with an 11-2 run to cut the lead back down to within one with 3:24 remaining. The Trojans regained the lead, 32-32, on a pair of free throws by Daniel Hackett. The teams went into half time tied 34-34 after Larry Cunningham knotted the game with his fourth three-pointer of the half. The Highlanders made six of their 10 shots (60.0 %) from behind the arc in the first half.
The teams traded baskets through the first six minutes of the second half. Following a dunk by Taj Gibson the Trojans again led 44-43 at 14:54 mark. UCR struggled to keep pace with the up-tempo game of the Trojans as USC out scored the Highlanders 11-0 on fast break points through out the game.
The young Highlander offense continued to battle but failed get through a tough Trojan defense in the second half as their shooting went cold in the closing minutes. Finishing the game 19-for-58 (32.8%). USC used an 11-3 run to close out the game, holding the Highlanders zero field goal makes in the final 7:52.
Freshman Jalonni Diggs added 10 points and Sean Cunningham brought down a team-high seven boards for Riverside. USC was led by freshman standout O.J. Mayo who led all scorers with game-highs of 20 points and eight rebounds.
The Highlanders will hit the road to open Big West Conference play with games next week at Pacific on Wednesday and at UC Davis on Saturday.
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