UCRMBB Kabellis Dribbling
Carlos Puma
51
San Diego Christian SDC 0-4
89
Winner UC Riverside UCR 10-6,0-0 Big West
San Diego Christian SDC
0-4
51
Final
89
UC Riverside UCR
10-6,0-0 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
San Diego Christian SDC 31 20 51
UC Riverside UCR 39 50 89

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UCR Ends Non-conference Slate with 10th Win, 89-51 Over San Diego Christian

Presented by Altura Credit Union

RIVERSIDE, Calif.– Three UC Riverside Highlanders reached double figures, led by Angus McWilliam's 18 points, as UCR equaled its win total for last year in its final nonconference game of the 2019-20 season, beating San Diego Christian, 89-51, at the SRC Arena. 

A 15-0 first-half run helped the Highlanders (10-6, 0-0 Big West) enter the break with an 11-point lead over the Hawks (4-7, 0-3 GSAC), but it was second-half stamina on both ends of the floor that allowed UCR to truly take over in their last game before opening Big West Conference action.

The Hawks were held scoreless for more than six minutes to start the second half. Khyber Kabellis (14 pts, 6 rebounds) and McWilliam traded baskets during that drought while UCR drew consecutive charges followed by one of the team's eight steals. The Highlanders went on to lead by as much as 40 as they outscored the visitors in the second half, 50-20, en route to a 38-point victory.

McWiliam, whose 18 points was a career high, pulled down seven of his 10 rebounds on the offensive end. Arinze Chidom also finished with a double double, putting in 16 points and grabbing 11 boards.

Saturday's win put UC Riverside back in the win column at home after returning from a 2-1 road trip over the holidays against Mountain West opponents San Jose State, Fresno State and Air Force. Their resulting 10-6 record also matches the best nonconference win total for the Highlanders since their 10-2 record heading into conference play in 1998.

Head coach David Patrick said a halftime chat sparked the defensive tenacity that set loose UCR's offensive barrage, which ended with UC Riverside shooting 51 percent ( 35-for-68) for the night. The Highlanders stayed diligent on the glass, too, outrebounding San Diego Christian, 46-23.

"I talked about guarding and rebounding, and they got the message," Coach Patrick said, "I'm proud of the way they responded. They played the way we want to play on the defensive end of the floor."

Of McWilliam, the redshirt sophomore from New Zealand, Patrick said, "He answered his number when he was called. He's a presence in the paint."

Of the team's 10th win of the season, which equals last year's total, Patrick commented, "We're not done yet. Hopeful we can get to number 11 and take it from there."

Next up for the Highlanders is their Big West Conference opener, taking place at UC Davis before the Highlanders return to SRC Arena for their conference home opener vs. Cal State Fullerton. 

NOTES

Saturday was the first official meeting between UC Riverside and San Diego Christian, but the two teams met previously in an exhibition game on Nov. 3, 2012, at SRC Arena. The Highlanders won that exhibition, 83-72.

Head Coach David Patrick on the start on Big West Conference play at UC Davis, followed by the conference home opener vs. Cal State Fullerton: "Now it's time to get ready for the Big West. It will be a great one. If you can win on the road, that's a plus too. This young group will be ready. It will be a good challenge for us, a two-game week coming back here at home.