Thursday, February 26
Riverside, CA
UC Riverside
95
vs
97
Cal Poly
Photo by: Phil Ellsworth
Mustangs Hold On to Beat Highlanders, 97-95 in OT
2/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The UC Riverside Highlanders fell to the visiting Cal Poly Mustangs, 97-95 in overtime at the Student Recreation Center in front of 1021 fans in Riverside Thursday.
UCR falls to 8-15 overall and 5-10 in the Big West, while Cal Poly is now 9-14, 4-11. It was the Highlanders third straight loss and their third over time loss in four tries.
Varnie Dennis had 31 points on 14-of-21 shooting and Kameron Gray added 21 with Shane Schilling chipping in 19. For UCR, Nate Carter had a team-high 24 points and Rickey Porter had a career-high 23 points with five three pointers. Vili Morton had his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The teams were tied 84-84 at the end of regulation and the Highlanders took a brief lead in the overtime on a Morton free throw. However Cal Poly took the lead on a Nick Enzweiler layup and never trailed, though the game was tied four times, the last time at 92-92 on a pair of free throws by Porter.
Cal Poly took a 96-92 lead with 24 seconds left on a pair of free throws by Gray, but Ted Bell answered back with a three pointer to cut the margin to one. Dennis was fouled and missed a pair of free throws, with Morton grabbing the rebound with nine seconds left. Following a UCR timeout, Rickey Porter drove down the court and turned the ball over to Gray, who was fouled and drained a free throw for a 97-95 lead. Kevin Butler's running three attempt at the buzzer was short and the Mustangs walked off with a hard-earned season sweep of the Highlanders.
The Mustangs shot 61.3% on the night, 5-of-7 (71.4%) in the overtime.
Morton, who sprained his ankle in practice Tuesday, surprised many by starting the game and scoring six points and three rebounds in the first period.
The Mustangs owned a 43-41 lead at the intermission, shooting 65.4% (17-of-26) in the first half. UCR was right behind, shooting 53.6%, (15-of-28).
The Highlanders conclude the home schedule on Saturday as they host UCSB at 7:00 PM. It is Senior Night and UCR's four seniors, Kevin Butler, Ted Bell, James Guth and Mark Peters will be recognized prior to the game. In addition, UCR will retire the number of Kellen Dixon, who passed away prior to the season.
UCR falls to 8-15 overall and 5-10 in the Big West, while Cal Poly is now 9-14, 4-11. It was the Highlanders third straight loss and their third over time loss in four tries.
Varnie Dennis had 31 points on 14-of-21 shooting and Kameron Gray added 21 with Shane Schilling chipping in 19. For UCR, Nate Carter had a team-high 24 points and Rickey Porter had a career-high 23 points with five three pointers. Vili Morton had his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The teams were tied 84-84 at the end of regulation and the Highlanders took a brief lead in the overtime on a Morton free throw. However Cal Poly took the lead on a Nick Enzweiler layup and never trailed, though the game was tied four times, the last time at 92-92 on a pair of free throws by Porter.
Cal Poly took a 96-92 lead with 24 seconds left on a pair of free throws by Gray, but Ted Bell answered back with a three pointer to cut the margin to one. Dennis was fouled and missed a pair of free throws, with Morton grabbing the rebound with nine seconds left. Following a UCR timeout, Rickey Porter drove down the court and turned the ball over to Gray, who was fouled and drained a free throw for a 97-95 lead. Kevin Butler's running three attempt at the buzzer was short and the Mustangs walked off with a hard-earned season sweep of the Highlanders.
The Mustangs shot 61.3% on the night, 5-of-7 (71.4%) in the overtime.
Morton, who sprained his ankle in practice Tuesday, surprised many by starting the game and scoring six points and three rebounds in the first period.
The Mustangs owned a 43-41 lead at the intermission, shooting 65.4% (17-of-26) in the first half. UCR was right behind, shooting 53.6%, (15-of-28).
The Highlanders conclude the home schedule on Saturday as they host UCSB at 7:00 PM. It is Senior Night and UCR's four seniors, Kevin Butler, Ted Bell, James Guth and Mark Peters will be recognized prior to the game. In addition, UCR will retire the number of Kellen Dixon, who passed away prior to the season.
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UCR Student-Athletes cheer on our students.
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UCR Athletics Director Introductory Full Press Conference
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Athletics Director Greg Paules Introductory Presentation Recap
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