Thursday, December 5
Riverside, CA
7:00 PM
UC Riverside
92
vs
77
La Verne
Photo by: Carlos Puma
Chris Patton's 20 Points Lead Five In Double Figures In 92-77 Win Over La Verne
12/5/2013 10:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Riverside—The UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team used a balanced scoring attack and a 25-for-27 performance from the free throw line Thursday evening to pick up a 92-77 victory over visiting La Verne (box score).
Chris Patton led all scores with 20 points to go along with eight boards, while Sam Finley added 16, Nick Gruninger chipped in with 15, Taylor Johns scored 12 and Lucas Devenny tied his career-high with 10.
The Highlanders 92.6 percent effort from the free throw line is tied for the eighth highest single-game percentage in the history of the program. The last time UC Riverside shot better than that from the charity stripe was on March 3, 2005 when the Highlanders went 14 of 15 against Cal State Northridge.
Gruninger led the UCR parade to the line making all 10 of his attempts. Javon Borum and Jason LeBaugh own the Highlanders record for most free throws made without a miss in a game with 12.
The lead changed hands four times in the early going, but a 9-1 Highlanders run late in the first turned a four-point advantage into a 12-point lead with 1:57 to go. Four different players scored during the run, including Patton who finished with 14 points at the break, and La Verne never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
Despite a seven for 14 performance from three-point range by the Leopards in the second half, UC Riverside continued to add to its lead, going up by as many as 18 points. The Highlanders forced 11 La Verne turnovers after halftime, and made 15 of 16 shots from the free throw line to pad their lead.
UCR shot 54.3 percent from the floor which is their best performance since a 62.2 percent effort at Cal State Fullerton on January 12, 2013.
The Highlanders take a break for final exams next week before returning to the hardwood on Saturday, December 14 at Air Force at 1 pm PT, followed by a Monday, December 16 trip to Northern Colorado at 6:05 pm.
Chris Patton led all scores with 20 points to go along with eight boards, while Sam Finley added 16, Nick Gruninger chipped in with 15, Taylor Johns scored 12 and Lucas Devenny tied his career-high with 10.
The Highlanders 92.6 percent effort from the free throw line is tied for the eighth highest single-game percentage in the history of the program. The last time UC Riverside shot better than that from the charity stripe was on March 3, 2005 when the Highlanders went 14 of 15 against Cal State Northridge.
Gruninger led the UCR parade to the line making all 10 of his attempts. Javon Borum and Jason LeBaugh own the Highlanders record for most free throws made without a miss in a game with 12.
The lead changed hands four times in the early going, but a 9-1 Highlanders run late in the first turned a four-point advantage into a 12-point lead with 1:57 to go. Four different players scored during the run, including Patton who finished with 14 points at the break, and La Verne never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
Despite a seven for 14 performance from three-point range by the Leopards in the second half, UC Riverside continued to add to its lead, going up by as many as 18 points. The Highlanders forced 11 La Verne turnovers after halftime, and made 15 of 16 shots from the free throw line to pad their lead.
UCR shot 54.3 percent from the floor which is their best performance since a 62.2 percent effort at Cal State Fullerton on January 12, 2013.
The Highlanders take a break for final exams next week before returning to the hardwood on Saturday, December 14 at Air Force at 1 pm PT, followed by a Monday, December 16 trip to Northern Colorado at 6:05 pm.
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