RIVERSIDE, Calif.— History will be made on Thursday night, November 29 at 7:00 PM in the SRC Arena on the campus of UC Riverside, as the Highlanders Men's Basketball Team prepares to host California Baptist University (CBU) in the Crosstown Showdown. This will be the first meeting between the Highlanders and the Lancers since CBU entered its Division I era.

"We are very excited to host CBU in the first Crosstown Showdown between our men's basketball programs," said Head Coach David Patrick. "It is great to have two Division I programs in the city of Riverside because it provides the Inland Empire's student-athletes more opportunities to play at a high level and play close to home. It also gives them an opportunity to represent their city in front of their friends and family. It is truly an exciting time for the community and we can't wait to play at home in front of our fans."

Excitement surrounds both of these IE programs as the Highlanders have begun the David Patrick era and the Lancers are in the midst of their inaugural season at the NCAA DI level.

"This game provides the Riverside community a chance to support two hometown programs on the rise," Patrick said. "No matter what the outcome of the game is, it's a win for both universities. Thursday's game will be a fun night in a great atmosphere at the SRC Arena."

Fans are encouraged to arrive early as a large crowd is expected. Gates open at 6:00 PM and tickets can be purchased just outside the arena at the box office.

SCOUTING THE LANCERS
CBU comes into Thursday's matchup with an overall record of 2-4 as the Lancers have dropped four straight after opening up the season 2-0. Nearly all of the team's games have been close losing by three points or less to both Tulsa and Howard, and falling to Arkansas Pin Bluff in triple OT. The intensity was the same in the team's win over Oral Roberts as the Lancers took the game 70-69 on a buzzer-beater from just inside half-court.

ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
Junior guard Dikymbe Martin was named to the All-Tournament Team last weekend at the Thanksgiving Tiger Tournament as he averaged 15 ppg shooting an efficient .429 from the field. His best scoring night came in the first game of the tourney vs Pacific where he dropped 20.

FROM DOWNTOWN
The Highlanders have found success from behind the arc this season as their .350 3pt shooting percentage ranks 3rd in the Big West and eight different student-athletes have hit from deep. Their 3pt defense also ranks 3rd allowing opponents to shoot just .276.

DIKYMBE DROPS 20
UCR's leading scorer from last year continued where he left off as Dikymbe Martin scored 20 points in the season opener vs Oregon State (Nov 6) on a very efficient 7-11 (3-4 3pt) shooting performance. He also added 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Then junior guard added another 20-point night this past weekend vs Pacific at the Thanksgiving Tiger Tournament.

DRAGAN FROM DEEP
Freshman Dragan Elkaz dropped 12 points in his NCAA debut vs Oregon State (Nov 6) as the guard sunk three 3-pointers and three free throws.

THE DAVID PATRICK ERA
The 2018-19 season is set to be a historic one as first-year Head Coach David Patrick will be at the helm. Coach Patrick takes over Highlanders Hoops with an impressive resume that features stints at Saint Mary's, LSU, and TCU. Patrick was welcomed to the program in early April.

NEW-LOOK COACHING STAFF
In addition to Head Coach David Patrick, the Highlanders have added 5 other new faces to the staff. Assistants Mike Magpayo and Mike Czepil, Director of Operations Michael Lecak, and Graduate Assistant Troy Hammel round out an experienced coaching staff.

BELL IS BACK
UC Riverside Alumnus Justin Bell is the sole returner from last years staff after taking over as Interim Head Coach towards the end of the conference season. The now Associate Head Coach is credited with helping a team that started Big West play 0-8 last year reach the conference tournament.

THE MELTING POT
This year's team is a mix of new student-athletes and returners, some recruited by the current coaching staff and others brought in before the staff's arrival, but you would never know it the way these Highlanders have come together in the preseason. They are truly embracing the team's motto: Run as One.

Here is what Coach Patrick had to say on the matter...

"These are all our guys. The returners and the new guys know that and nobody feels like they're on an island," Patrick said. "We brought everyone in early and I think that gave us an advantage, because they all got a chance to gel and bond as a team."

OTHER COACH PATRICK QUOTES
On the journey from day one to game one...

"Since our first practice together they have gotten better day by day and have really answered what our coaching staff has asked them for," said Patrick. "The main thing is their attitudes have been great and they have bought in to what we've sold them, which is trying to be in the best shape they can be, being as mentally and physically tough as they can be, and holding themselves accountable. They have done that from day one."

On new coaching staff...

"Our coaches are great mix of guys with no egos," Patrick explained. "When it came time to start thinking about our staff I made an effort to pick experienced leaders who don't think anything is beneath them. They're all willing to roll up their sleeves, work hard, and wear many hats if we need them to and they have done a great job with that."

On Dikymbe Martin...

"I've really been impressed with DK so far," Patrick said. "We know he has the ability to score, but he has also been open to us changing his role in needing him to defend and rebound better. He has really bought in, which is great because change is always hard when you're used to scoring a lot of points."

On Menno Dijkstra and Eric Rwahwire returning...

"Right now Menno is in the best shape he has been in here and is skilled both inside and from the perimeter," Patrick said. "Rwahwire has been extremely vocal and has shown a lot of leadership so we are looking for him to bring that to the court Tuesday night."

THE RETURNERS
Six Highlanders return to the UC Riverside roster....

     #10 Ajani Kennedy
     #13 Eric Rwahwire
     #15 Dikyembe Martin
     #22 Dominick Pickett
     #31 Ryker Pierce
     #32 Menno Dijkstra

THE FAB FIVE
Five freshman join the Highlanders in their first ever NCAA Season...

    #0 Dragan Elkaz
    #3 DJ McDonald
    #11 Zac Watson
    #24 Kendall Stubblefield
    #25 Callum McRae

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Much like last year, the Highlanders will be on the road for most of the non-conference season tallying 10 total away/nuetral games before they open Big West play.

These games feature Oregon State, Portland State, UNLV, Pacific, Valparaiso, UT El Paso, Air Force, and Western Michigan. UCR will aso face Elon and Abilene Christian as a part of the Tiger Thanksgiving Tournament in Stockton, CA.

THE BIG WEST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
The Big West Conference Tournament is set for the weekend of Thursday March 14th - Sunday March 17th. The winner of the tournament gets automatic entrance to the NCAA Tournament.

Last year, the Highlanders battled at the end of the conference season under Interim Head Coach and UCR Alumnus Justin Bell to make to the Big Weest Tournament and nearly knocked off the No. 1 seed in UC Davis. The Aggies edged out the Highlanders 70-66.