Monday, December 16
Greeley, CO
6:05 PM
University of California, Riverside
60
at
63
Northern Colorado
Photo by: Carlos Puma
Late Turnovers Cost Men's Basketball In 63-60 Loss At Northern Colorado
12/16/2013 9:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Greeley, CO—Chris Patton's layup with 3:12 remaining Monday evening gave the UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team its largest lead of the game at 60-56, but the Highlanders' offense went cold down the stretch, and Northern Colorado escaped with a 63-60 win (box score).
It was arguably the best effort of the year for the Highlanders (3-6) who connected on eight of 15 shots from three-point range, and 10 of 14 from the free throw line. Patton led the way scoring 17 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking four shots in 24 minutes of play.
The Highlanders' defense continued to impress early, holding the Bears to 39.3 percent shooting from the field in the first half. Tate Unruh accounted for the majority of Northern Colorado's offense during that stretch, making five of seven shots from three-point range for 15 points.
There were eight ties and 11 lead changes in the game, the last of which came with just seven seconds remaining. After Patton's layup put UCR up four, the Highlanders misfired on their next four shots, but the Bears manged just four points of their own over the next two minutes, and the score was tied at 60 with 1:36 to go.
Steven Thornton was fouled with 1:17 on the clock, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one. The UCR defense held, forcing a UNC turnover with 46 seconds remaining, and Head Coach Dennis Cutts called the Highlanders' final time out.
The in-bounds pass came to Nick Gruninger who dribbled towards halfcourt, but his pass to Thornton across the timeline was wide of the mark, and the Bears had the ball again with 39 seconds left. The Highlanders' defense held for 32 seconds, but Corey Spence drove the lane, and Patton was called for a foul when he came over to help.
Spence made just one of two shots, and Patton secured the rebound on the second attempt. The Highlanders had numbers on the subsequent break with Thornton leading the way down the right sideline. Steven Jones split two defenders with a pass that could have led to the go-ahead basket, but it was behind Thornton, who couldn't come up with the ball.
Unruh hit a pair of free throws with two seconds remaining for the final margin of victory. He finished with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds. Derrick Barden joined him in double figures scoring 14 points.
Patton's scored 13 of his team-high 17 after the break adding seven boards and all four of his blocked shots after intermission. Thornton added 11 points, and Taylor Johns reached double figures for the eighth time in nine games with 10.
The Highlanders return home this week for a pair of games at the SRC Arena—Friday, December 20 vs. UIC at 7 pm PT, and Sunday, December 22 vs. Northern Illinois at 2 pm.
It was arguably the best effort of the year for the Highlanders (3-6) who connected on eight of 15 shots from three-point range, and 10 of 14 from the free throw line. Patton led the way scoring 17 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking four shots in 24 minutes of play.
The Highlanders' defense continued to impress early, holding the Bears to 39.3 percent shooting from the field in the first half. Tate Unruh accounted for the majority of Northern Colorado's offense during that stretch, making five of seven shots from three-point range for 15 points.
There were eight ties and 11 lead changes in the game, the last of which came with just seven seconds remaining. After Patton's layup put UCR up four, the Highlanders misfired on their next four shots, but the Bears manged just four points of their own over the next two minutes, and the score was tied at 60 with 1:36 to go.
Steven Thornton was fouled with 1:17 on the clock, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one. The UCR defense held, forcing a UNC turnover with 46 seconds remaining, and Head Coach Dennis Cutts called the Highlanders' final time out.
The in-bounds pass came to Nick Gruninger who dribbled towards halfcourt, but his pass to Thornton across the timeline was wide of the mark, and the Bears had the ball again with 39 seconds left. The Highlanders' defense held for 32 seconds, but Corey Spence drove the lane, and Patton was called for a foul when he came over to help.
Spence made just one of two shots, and Patton secured the rebound on the second attempt. The Highlanders had numbers on the subsequent break with Thornton leading the way down the right sideline. Steven Jones split two defenders with a pass that could have led to the go-ahead basket, but it was behind Thornton, who couldn't come up with the ball.
Unruh hit a pair of free throws with two seconds remaining for the final margin of victory. He finished with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds. Derrick Barden joined him in double figures scoring 14 points.
Patton's scored 13 of his team-high 17 after the break adding seven boards and all four of his blocked shots after intermission. Thornton added 11 points, and Taylor Johns reached double figures for the eighth time in nine games with 10.
The Highlanders return home this week for a pair of games at the SRC Arena—Friday, December 20 vs. UIC at 7 pm PT, and Sunday, December 22 vs. Northern Illinois at 2 pm.
Day in the Life: Leilani Juan
Monday, May 04
UCR Student-Athletes cheer on our students.
Friday, May 01
UCR Athletics Director Introductory Full Press Conference
Tuesday, March 24
Athletics Director Greg Paules Introductory Presentation Recap
Tuesday, March 24
