88
Winner Hawaii Hawaii 3-0,1-0 Big West
83
UC Riverside UCR 3-2,0-1 Big West
Winner
Hawaii Hawaii
3-0,1-0 Big West
88
Final
83
UC Riverside UCR
3-2,0-1 Big West
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hawaii Hawaii 30 58 88
UC Riverside UCR 26 57 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Highlanders Nearly Pull Off Furious Comeback vs Hawaii, Falls 88-83

Presented by Altura Credit Union

Altura Credit Union
Riverside, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors each expected their Friday night matchup to be their third series of conference play, however due to COVID-19 related cancelations it turned out the Big West Conference opener for each. Hawaii held off UCR's late charge for an, 88-83, victory to open league play.

For the Highlanders, it was their first game in 29 days, and for Hawaii, it was their first in 20 days as well as the contest first on the mainland this season.


The game got off to a slow start with both clubs showing signs of rust due to their respective layoffs, with neither creating more than a five-point margin early on. Despite cold-shooting and committing 11 turnovers, the Highlanders trailed just 30-26 at halftime.

"I thought we were a little stuck in mud early in the game and just didn't take care of the ball like we need to against a fast transition team like Hawaii." said Head Coach Mike Magpayo.


Mid-way through the second half, the Bows led 47-37, when lefty marksman Will Tattersal connected from long distance. Following a Hawaii miss, Pickett connected on a triple of his own. The Highlanders forced a Hawaii turnover, and reserve big Angus McWilliam knocked down a 3-ball to cut the UH lead to just one at 47-46 going into the under 12 minute media break.


With :48 to play, the Highlanders found themselves down 10, 83-73, and appeared to be on the way to a double-digit loss, but Arinze Chidom was fouled on a drive to the bucket, he scored and converted the free-throw to make it a seven point game with :38 to go. George Willborn stole the ball on the next possession and scored in the lane to make 83-78, taking just six seconds, leaving :32 to play. The Rainbow Warriors was forced to call timeout and try to regroup. Hawaii inbounded the ball right into the corner of the court allowing the Highlanders to trap it, but UCR was whistled for a foul. Hawaii made only one of two of their free throw attempts, leaving the score 84-78. On the ensuing possession, Flynn Cameron make a strong move to the bucket and also scored while being fouled, he made his free throw to bring the game to within a single possession, 84-81 with 21 seconds left.

The Bows would make their final four free-throws of the game en route to sealing the 88-83 victory.

Chidom scored 17 of his team-high 20 points in the second half. Zyon Pullin logged a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Dominick Pickett was perfect from the field (4-4) and at the line (2-2) for 12 points in the loss.

"Proud of the guys for their fight to get back in the game and make it a single possession game, but I know we got a lot more in us than we offered today. Hopefully we come out ready to show it tomorrow." said Magpayo.