FRESNO, CA–The UC Riverside Highlanders (9-5, 0-0) continue their climb up and over their Mountain West Conference opponents with another road victory at Fresno State (4-9, 0-2) on Saturday night winning 60-57 over the Bulldogs. UCR came into tonight's game with an 0-5 all-time record against Fresno State, but thanks largely to the emergence of Arinze Chidom and the leadership of Senior point guard, Dikymbe Martin, the Highlanders, who were at one point facing a 20-point deficit late in the second half, rallied behind the aforementioned players outstanding performance and great team defense to win for the third time this season on the road.
The Highlanders didn't get their first road victory last year until January 23 when they beat Cal Poly 74-51. UCR has three road wins this season with notable victories at Nebraska, San Jose State and tonight over the Fresno State Bulldogs. With the victory, the Highlanders have tied the mark for the second best start in the past 20 years, going 9-5, tying the 2015-2016 season.
The first half was all Bulldogs as the Highlanders committed five turnovers in the first four minutes of the game, but managed to remain tied at 3 apiece with 15:37 to play. The first half was a low scoring affair with Fresno State leading just 10-9 with 11:30 left to play in the half, with Chidom (7) and Sophomore Zac Watson (2) scoring the only points for the Highlanders up until that point. Fresno's big-man, Orlando Robinson, contributed 14 first half points (including going three-for-five from beyond the arc) and the Bulldogs went into halftime having never trailing and a commanding 30-21 lead. The lone, bright spot for the Highlanders was the inside-outside play from Redshirt Junior, Arinze Chidom, who led UCR with 12 points to go along with seven rebounds to keep UCR within nine points going into the break.
The second half started much like the first for UCR as they were unable to find the bottom of the net. The Highlanders were shooting just 33% from the field (nine for 27) and 37% from the three-point line (three for eight) until they caught fire late in the second half after being down 20 with 9:42 left in the game. In the Highlanders last stand they outscored the Bulldogs 25 to two over the final nine and half minutes of play, limiting Fresno to just two free-throws to secure the biggest second half comeback win in UCR's Division 1 history.
After the victory, Head Coach David Patrick said of his team, "To go on a 25-two run down the stretch, I have never been a part of that before, I've been a part of some big wins, but to win with this crew, it was great to see. Our motto this year has been United, Competitive , Resilient and I think we were united from start to finish and we competed from start to finish, even when we were down, the guys that subbed in kept competing and the resiliency we showed when they made some shots, we took their punches, hit back and that's what got us on top tonight."
On Chidom's performance, Coach Patrick said this of his emerging offensive leader in one word, "Relentless, he kept going to the glass, kept shooting good shots and he did everything we asked of him and his effort tonight from start to finish was relentless. He set the tone tonight on the offensive glass and his competitive spirit, even though he's not an emotional guy, his plays with a spirit much needed for this group."
Pre-season All-Big West selection, Dikymbe Martin, made his presence known by making big plays down the stretch for the Highlanders. "I think that those two and three-pointers DK made and the two free throws down the stretch, and the defense on New Williams, he really got out and did a great job of shutting him down. They were trying everything to get plays for him (Williams) and he (Martin) made huge stops for us on the defensive end of the floor."
Coach Patrick continued his praise of his Senior leader by saying, "His role has changed, He's our Lou Williams for our team and I'm hopeful he can continue to do that for us."
Martin secured the victory over the Bulldogs by hitting his first three with one minute and 32 seconds left to play, pulling UCR within two at 56-54. He follows up by nailing the biggest three of the game with 47 seconds left, giving the Highlanders their first lead of the game and making one of two free throws to seal the victory.
Arize Chidom led the Highlanders scoring with 25 points and 10 rebounds while Martin chipped in 10 points on three-of-five shooting from beyond the arc. UCR out-rebounded Fresno State 39-25 including grabbing 15 offensive rebounds to just six by the Bulldogs. UCR also got 20 points from their bench tonight, outscoring the Fresno bench by 14.
UCR continues their Holiday road trip at the Air Force Academy on December 31st for a 12 p.m. start on gohighlanders.com.
