SAN DIEGO - UC Riverside opened its 2021-22 campaign on Tuesday night, falling 66-53 to San Diego State at Viejas Arena. 

The Highlanders kept San Diego State on its heels, but despite the loss, the growing continues for head coach Mike Magpayo and his team.

"This is a long season and we plan to build ourselves into our best selves day by day," Magpayo said. 

Daniel Mading gave UCR the 10-7 lead at the 13:45 mark as both teams traded jabs in the early season matchup, but lockdown defenses from both benches were the more prevailing story early in the first half. 

JP Moorman II impressed in his first game at UC Riverside, as did Jhaylon Martinez. The Temple transfer went for nine points on 4-of-11 shooting and five rebounds, while Martinez logged 14 minutes with four points and three rebounds.

"JP will only get into more of a rhythm with our group offensively," Maypago said. "He had four assists because he can really see the floor and make plays for others. These were huge minutes for Jhaylon, who will only continue to grow. Everyone saw a little of what he brings to the table: skill, size, rebounding, and smarts."

UCR pulled their weight in the first half and went on an 8-0 run in the first half on a 3-for-5 clip to back it up. Zyon Pullin delivered a three to tie the game before Martinez picked up his first collegiate bucket in transition. Dominick Pickett sank a second-chance three at the 10:22 mark to give the Highlanders the 18-13 lead. 

Strong play from the Aztecs allowed them to pull ahead late in the half by way of scoring runs and stingy defense, but the Highlanders would not go into the intermission quietly. 

Wil Tattersall got his first points of the regular season late in the first half with a three before draining the free throw to complete the four-point play and cut the deficit to 34-28. After San Diego State answered with a bucket, UCR countered with a pullup jumper from Pullin. 

Callum McRae's return to regular season competition made an impact out of the second half, as a put-back layup from the Kiwi helped UCR capitalize on its first offensive sequence of the second half. McRae sank a left-handed hook a minute later to pull the Highlanders back into the contest at 40-34. The two close-range conversions from the big man aided UCR in starting the half 3 of 6 from the field. 

McRae's shooting would continue. The center, who finished the night with a team-high 13 points - all of which came in the second half - made back-to-back buckets that kept the Highlanders around at 51-45. McRae entered double figures scoring for the evening a minute later.

Defensively, UCR held the Aztecs to just 2 of 11 from three-point range. 

The Highlanders are back at it on Thursday, November 11 with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff at Arizona State before hosting La Sierra on Sunday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. for the home opener at SRC Arena. Fans can watch Thursday's broadcast live on the Pac-12 Network and listen online at GoHighlanders.com.