Dikymbe Martin Back 2018-2019
57
UC Santa Barbara UCSB 17-7, 6-4
71
Winner UC Riverside UCR 9-17, 3-7
UC Santa Barbara UCSB
17-7, 6-4
57
Final
71
UC Riverside UCR
9-17, 3-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UC Santa Barbara UCSB 33 24 57
UC Riverside UCR 41 30 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Martin Reaches Milestone in Big Win for Men's Basketball

RIVERSIDE, Calif.— With just a few weeks remaining until the conference tournament the pressure is on for all nine Big West teams to make the push for the post season. Thursday night the UC Riverside Basketball Team rose to the occasion capturing a big win over third placed UC Santa Barbara 71-57. The Highlanders' triumph was capped off with the latest moment in program history as junior guard Dikymbe Martin notched his 1,000th career point. Martin is the first to join the 1K club since Taylor Johns in 2015, and the fifth in the DI era.

"It feels good to get this point, but it felt even better to get the win," Martin said. "It means a lot. I couldn't have done it without my coaches and teammates and I'm just grateful for everything."

The two teams matched up for the first time this season in Santa Barbara just over a month to go with UCSB taking the win with a second half comeback, but UCR would hold on to first half lead in the rematch at the SRC Arena.

The Highlanders were firing on all cylinders against the Gauchos shooting .578 from the field while allowing UCSB a .396 in return. The team also held Santa Barbara to just 4-of-22 from beyond the arc and forced 14 turnovers.

"I think this just proves that we can compete any team in the conference," Head Coach David Patrick said. "We've gotten good wins this season The only question is are we consistent enough every night to play defense and play our game."

After the taking the lead at 5-4 less than two minutes into the game, the Highlanders never let the Gauchos on top again holding on for just under 39 minutes. 

UCR started out red hot from deep hitting on 6-of-6 threes to begin the game led by freshman DJ McDonald who earned his first career start and shot 3-for-4 from outside in the first half to give the Highlanders an offensive spark. McDonald would finish with a career high 11 points and added three assists.

Consistent scoring and solid rebounding would lead UCR to a 41-33 lead heading into half time.

The second period was all about the Highlander defense that truly halted a physical Gaucho team holding them to 24 points and a 1-of-11 shooting mark from three. UCR was locked in all night, stretching its lead to as much as 18 with small runs and immense defensive efforts. The team also out rebounded a UCSB team that leads the conference in rebounding 27-22.

Martin ended the game with a game high 18 points and now has 1,005 in hsi career. Three others joined him double figures as sophomore guard Dominick Pickett hit 5-for-6 for 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, and both McDonald and senior Menno Dijkstra went for 11 a piece.

UC Riverside will now look to keep the momentum going at Hawaii this Saturday night.

"You know, I've been telling our guys that it's not about how you start league play, it's about how you finish," Patrick said. "I've been in leagues where teams fought by the wayside and you want to be one to the teams on the way up."