UCRMBB Willborn Dribbling
59
UC San Diego UCSD 3-5,0-0 Big West
71
Winner UC Riverside UCR 8-4,4-2 Big West
UC San Diego UCSD
3-5,0-0 Big West
59
Final
71
UC Riverside UCR
8-4,4-2 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UC San Diego UCSD 32 27 59
UC Riverside UCR 45 26 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Sharp-Shooting And Timely Defense Fuels Wire-to-Wire, 71-59, Win Over UCSD

Presented by Altura Credit Union

Altura Credit Union
Riverside, Calif.—The UC Riverside Men's Basketball team knocked off visiting UC San Diego, 71-59, a win fueled by sharp-shooting and timely defense. The Sunday afternoon matchup came together quickly after UCSD's scheduled opponent, Long Beach State, had to put their season on pause due to a positive Covid-19 test within the program.

The Highlanders were off on their scheduled bye week when the opportunity to play arose. Coach Magpayo on his team's readiness, "A true team effort by our squad. Our players always rise to any challenge and when this game was presented to them, they jumped all over it, just like they did in our other last minute scheduled games—USC and Washington. I'd like to thank the UC Riverside Athletics staff that helped this come together, it was their third game in as many days." 

UCR (8-4, 4-2) knocked down 13-of-31 three-point attempts, their second-highest amount of makes this season. They hit their season-high 15 triples in a win at Denver on 12/6/20. They also went a perfect six-of-six at the free throw line against the Tritons. 

Both teams had success in the first half with the three-ball, with UCSD (3-5, 0-0) connecting on seven of their 17 attempts and the Highlanders hitting eight of their 16 attempts. Jock Perry went 4-5 from distance in the first 20 minutes of play, when the team shot 53.3 percent from the field. Arinze Chidom had eight points (six in the paint, two at the line) to go with two rebounds and a steal in helping the blue and gold establish a 45-32 advantage at the break. "Jock Perry and Arinze were huge for us in the first half executing the offensive game plan." said Magpayo. 

The second half began slowly as neither scored for the first three minutes. The drought ended when the Tritons made a pair of free-throws, but UCR responded in spectacular fashion. On the following possession, Dominick Pickett connected on a three on a find by Wil Tattersall. George Willborn III stole the ball, got down court and in position in the right corner to hit a three of his own, assisted by Pickett. After a defensive stop, Willborn connected from deep again, in the same right corner, this time he was fed by Tattersall. Following a score, the Tritons keyed on stopping WIllborn defensively, but the senior guard out of Chicago drew the defense, before hitting Tattersall, who hit a triple of his own to put UCR ahead by 20, 57-37.

UC San Diego made it interesting down the stretch by going on a 7-0 mini run with under two minutes to play, but the Highlanders held on for the wire-to-wire victory, 71-59. 

Coach Magpayo on the defensive effort, "As always, it starts and ends defensively for us. We made some adjustments at half and held them to 30 percent from the field in the second half and 36 percent overall for the game. On a one day prep, a very good defensive performance by the team."

The Highlanders had 10 players score, seven of them with six or more points, and 18 of their 26 field goals were assisted. Zyon Pullin flirted with a triple double, tallying seven points, nine rebounds and six assists in the win. Coach Magpayo on the offense, "The inside out attack was the plan and then it opened up from outside when George came off the bench with a big-time performance." Willborn III finished with 14 points, shooting 4-5 from three to go with two assists and a steal. 

Sunday's short notice contest was considered a non-conference game for both teams. "This was a Big West Conference opponent and as we continue to establish ourselves this season, every game against a Big West foe is huge." said Magpayo.

The Highlanders visit Cal State Fullerton Friday, February 5th and Saturday the 6th. Both tip-offs are slated for 5pm.


Â