Monday, January 5
Riverside, CA
University of California, Riverside
78
vs
70
Cal State Northridge
Photo by: Phil Ellsworth
Highlanders Hold on to Get First Big West Win, 78-70 Over CSN
1/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The UC Riverside Highlanders held off a late rally and held on to win their first Big West game of the year, defeating the visiting Cal State Northridge Matadors, 78-70 in front of 962 fans at the Student Recreation Center Monday.
UCR moved to 4-6, 1-1 on the season and CSN moved to 5-5, 1-1.
Senior guard Ted Bell had a season-high 19 points, hitting 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-8 from the three point line. Sophomore forward Nate Carter had 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds, senior forward Kevin Butler had 10 points and junior forward VIli Morton had 10 points and six rebounds, despite being in foul trouble and only playing 20 minutes.
For the Matadors, Eto Onyenegachea scored 20 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, shooting 10-of-17 from the field. Joseph Frazier had 18 points and Ian Boylan 16.
The Matadors trailed by 18 at 67-49 on a layup by Vili Morton with 5:37 remaining, but put together a late run that made Highlander fans sweat. Utilizing a pressing and trapping defense, which forced the Highlanders into a season-high 20 turnovers, they cut the lead to 69-58 at 2:45, then to just six at 73-67 on a trey by Ian Boylan with 38 seconds remaining. But UCR got free throws by Carter and senior guard Mark Peters and a last-second layup by Bell to make the final margin eight.
The Highlanders used a 22-2 run in the first half to turn an early 12-7 deficit at 13:07 into a 29-14 lead at 4:36. Sophomore guard Matt Benson keyed the run with three consecutive three pointers that gave UCR an 18-12 lead.
The Highlanders, whose defensive commitment was questioned by Coach John Masi following Saturday's loss to Pacific, turned in an outstanding performance in the first half, holding the Matadors to 7-of-26 shooting (26.9%) and outrebounding them, 21-14. Overall, Northridge shot 38.7% (24-of-62) and the Highlanders won the battle of the boards, 38-35.
The Highlanders return to action on Saturday, January 10th as they host Cal State Fullerton. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST.
UCR moved to 4-6, 1-1 on the season and CSN moved to 5-5, 1-1.
Senior guard Ted Bell had a season-high 19 points, hitting 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-8 from the three point line. Sophomore forward Nate Carter had 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds, senior forward Kevin Butler had 10 points and junior forward VIli Morton had 10 points and six rebounds, despite being in foul trouble and only playing 20 minutes.
For the Matadors, Eto Onyenegachea scored 20 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, shooting 10-of-17 from the field. Joseph Frazier had 18 points and Ian Boylan 16.
The Matadors trailed by 18 at 67-49 on a layup by Vili Morton with 5:37 remaining, but put together a late run that made Highlander fans sweat. Utilizing a pressing and trapping defense, which forced the Highlanders into a season-high 20 turnovers, they cut the lead to 69-58 at 2:45, then to just six at 73-67 on a trey by Ian Boylan with 38 seconds remaining. But UCR got free throws by Carter and senior guard Mark Peters and a last-second layup by Bell to make the final margin eight.
The Highlanders used a 22-2 run in the first half to turn an early 12-7 deficit at 13:07 into a 29-14 lead at 4:36. Sophomore guard Matt Benson keyed the run with three consecutive three pointers that gave UCR an 18-12 lead.
The Highlanders, whose defensive commitment was questioned by Coach John Masi following Saturday's loss to Pacific, turned in an outstanding performance in the first half, holding the Matadors to 7-of-26 shooting (26.9%) and outrebounding them, 21-14. Overall, Northridge shot 38.7% (24-of-62) and the Highlanders won the battle of the boards, 38-35.
The Highlanders return to action on Saturday, January 10th as they host Cal State Fullerton. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST.
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