Irvine, CA—The UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team knew it would have its hands full Saturday evening as the Highlanders traveled to the OC to take on the top team in the conference in the UC Irvine Anteaters. Unfortunately, the 'Eaters came as advertised, upending UCR, 84-68.

UC Irvine (13-5, 2-0) jumped out to a double-digit lead midway through the first, thanks in part to making 11 of its first 16 shots from the floor, including seven of eight from three-point range. Luke Nelson was the catalyst, as he made his first five shots from the field, four of which came from beyond the arc.

Nelson finished the half with 18 points to lead all scorers. Taylor Johns paced UC Riverside with 10 at the break, scoring six of those points from the free throw line. Jaylen Bland added nine points making three of four from long distance, but no other member of the Highlanders connected on more than one field goal over the first 20 minutes of play.

UCR (9-9, 0-2) entered the intermission trailing by 14, 43-29, and try as they might, never got closer than 13 the rest of the way.

Nelson finished with 27 points, while Mamadou Ndiaye added 12 and Jaron Martin scored 11. Bland paced UC Riverside with 20 followed by Johns and Secean Johnson with 15 apiece.

The Highlanders return home to the SRC Arena on Thursday, January 14 to take on Hawai'i at 7 pm PT on ESPN3. They then travel to CSUN on Saturday, January 16 for a 7:30 pm tip against the Matadors.