Riverside—The race for an upper division Big West finish is still as muddied as ever, but the UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team improved its standing recently with wins in three of its last four games. The Highlanders are now tied for fifth place in the conference with Hawai'i and Cal Poly, and just one game behind Long Beach State in third place.
The Rainbow Warriors play at front-running UC Davis this Saturday while the Highlanders host the Mustangs at 7 pm PT. A UCR victory and Hawai'i loss would vault the Highlanders into sole possession of fifth place, and if Cal State Fullerton wins at home against the Gauchos, UC Riverside would be in fourth place with three games remaining on its schedule.
The Highlanders best finish ever in league play came in 2008-09 when they were 8-8, and in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Big West.
Taylor Johns and Jaylen Bland both scored 21 points in each of UC Riverside's last two games. They are a virtual lock to break the program Division I era record for highest scoring duo, averaging a combined 32.5 points per game.
Cal Poly has won three straight games to put the Mustangs within striking distance of an upper division finish as well. They average just 61.1 points per game in conference play, making 38.5 percent of their shots from the field. However, they turn the ball over just 9.5 times per game, and allow just 58.2 points per game.
The Mustangs boast three double-figure scorers in David Nwaba (12.50, Reese Morgan (11.4) and Brian Bennett (11.0).
The Highlanders are 44-47 all-time against the Mustangs. Cal Poly has won each of the past two meetings between the clubs and six of the last seven games.
