SANTA BARBARA, Calif.— The first conference road game for the UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team would prove to be a battle between the Highlanders and the host Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara. Both team fought hard through 20 ties and lead changes, but in the end, UCSB would take the game 72-64 to remain unbeaten at home.

The Highlanders showed tenacity all night on the boards out-rebounding the Gauchos 37-27 and dropping in 14 second chance points, but the game would come down to the turnover battle as UCR's 14 allowed UCSB 27 points off the miscues. The Highlander bench was a true bright spot on the night as the reserves accounted for nearly half of the team's total points.

UCSB held a short lead for much of the first half until the Highlanders iced it at 25-25 with just five minutes to go. A mid range jumper by sophomore Ajani Kennedy would put the Highlanders up for the first time since early in the contest and UCR would hold the lead heading into the locker room 34-32.

At the half junior Dikymbe Martin once again led his team with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting and freshman big Callum McRae added an efficient four points and five rebounds in just nine minutes of action.

The Gauchos opened the second half with a 9-0 run to get the arena behind them, but the Highlanders never faltered quickly tying the game back up at 46-46. Kennedy would then give his team a momentum boost hitting a three and throwing down an emphatic dunk to ignite the bench and silence the Thunderdome.

The two teams would trade punches making one big play after another including a huge side-dribble three by freshman Dragan Elkaz. The Aussie native got his defender in the air on a pump fake before drilling the shot as the shot clock expired to put his team up 56-53.

That would be the final lead for the Highlanders as both teams slowed down the pace. The Gaucho defense would seal the game only allowing just four points in the final eight minutes.

Kennedy had another terrific performance off of the bench scoring 19 points (7-11 FGs, 3-5 3pt) and adding five rebounds and two assists. Martin finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

The top three-point shooting team in the Big West once again showed off its range hitting nine threes on .429 shooting. Elkaz and Kennedy each put in three and Martin added two of his own.

The Highlanders will remain on the road for their next game as UCR is set to face Cal State Fullerton at Titan Gym this Thursday at 7 PM.