Saturday, November 9
Riverside, Calif.
2:00 P.M.
University of California, Riverside
2-0,0-0Big West
58
vs
51
Idaho
1-1,0-0Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 26 | 25 | 51 |
| UC Riverside | 22 | 36 | 58 |
Photo by: Carlos Puma
McRae Wills Men's Basketball to First 2-0 Start in Program History
11/9/2019 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE—For the first time since elevating to Division I, the UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team has tipped off the new season with a 2-0 start. A gritty 58-51 win over visiting Idaho Saturday afternoon in the Highlanders' home opener cemented the team's early year milestone.
Sophomore big Callum McRae took the game by storm dropping a career high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting that he paired with 10 boards. A Highlander has now notched both double-double in each games this season.
"We feel that if he's guarded one-on-one in the post, we have the advantage. And he's a willing passer from the post," Head Coach David Patrick said. "For whatever reason, they didn't double-team him and that's fine, because he's a good passer and he's shot the ball well of late. So you have to pick your poison if you're the opposing coach."
The Vandals led at the half 26-22, but UCR would find its rhythm in the second period outscoring the Vandals 36-25. This came on the backs of another outstanding defensive and rebounding performance by the Highlanders. They would hold Idaho to a 36.7 percent shooting rate while out rebounding the Vandals 41-28.
Junior George Willborn III reached double figures again dropping 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
"It was definitely a momentum thing," said Willborn. "I wasn't too focused on the baskets I was making. I was trying to change the pace to get it to UCR ball and for us to go out there and get things going."
UC Riverside will look to make it three straight on the road at Sacramento State next weekend before facing Pacific.
BY THE NUMBERS
-UCR found 12 second chance points on 11 offensive rebounds
-UCR won the points in the paint battle 12-7
-Idaho saw 22 points off of the bench compared to the Highlanders' 16
Sophomore big Callum McRae took the game by storm dropping a career high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting that he paired with 10 boards. A Highlander has now notched both double-double in each games this season.
"We feel that if he's guarded one-on-one in the post, we have the advantage. And he's a willing passer from the post," Head Coach David Patrick said. "For whatever reason, they didn't double-team him and that's fine, because he's a good passer and he's shot the ball well of late. So you have to pick your poison if you're the opposing coach."
The Vandals led at the half 26-22, but UCR would find its rhythm in the second period outscoring the Vandals 36-25. This came on the backs of another outstanding defensive and rebounding performance by the Highlanders. They would hold Idaho to a 36.7 percent shooting rate while out rebounding the Vandals 41-28.
Junior George Willborn III reached double figures again dropping 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
"It was definitely a momentum thing," said Willborn. "I wasn't too focused on the baskets I was making. I was trying to change the pace to get it to UCR ball and for us to go out there and get things going."
UC Riverside will look to make it three straight on the road at Sacramento State next weekend before facing Pacific.
BY THE NUMBERS
-UCR found 12 second chance points on 11 offensive rebounds
-UCR won the points in the paint battle 12-7
-Idaho saw 22 points off of the bench compared to the Highlanders' 16
Team Stats
UI
UCR
FG%
.367
.380
3FG%
.188
.273
FT%
.522
.824
RB
28
41
TO
8
13
STL
5
3
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
C
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