Riverside—The UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team struggled with an uncharacteristic bout of turnovers Saturday evening, committing a season-high 22 on the night, and falling, 71-63, to visiting Montana.

Neither team led by more than four points in the first half, but UC Riverside (1-6) could have enjoyed a comfortable lead at the break if they had taken care of the basketball. The Highlanders entered the day averaging the second fewest turnovers per game in the Big West at 11.7 per contest. They matched that figure with nine minutes to go in the first half. UCR finished the first 20 minutes of play with 14 turnovers, matching their season high for a game.

As it was, Montana (4-8) led by one, 28-27, at the intermission, despite making 33.3 percent of its shots from the field and 22.2 percent from long distance.

Secean Johnson paced the Highlanders through the first with eight points, while Walter Wright and Ahmaad Rorie led the Griz with six apiece.

An 8-0 Grizzlies' run which began with 14:31 to go in the second turned a two-point UC Riverside edge into a six-point Montana advantage. It was the largest lead of the game for either team to that point, and the last lead change of the night.

The Highlanders closed to within one point on a number of occasions, but couldn't quite close the gap. The last time was, 53-52, with 5:54 to go in the game, but Montana countered with an 11-4 run to go up eight, 64-56, and made enough free throws down the stretch to seal the victory..

Rorie was the key contributor for the Griz, as he scored 19 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.

The Highlanders kept the game close thanks to a season-high 25 points from the charity stripe.

UC Riverside packs its cold-weather attire as the Highlanders hit the road this week for games at Northern Colorado, Tuesday, December 20 (5 pm PT), and Denver, Thursday, December 22 (6 pm).