EUGENE, Ore. - UC Riverside's 42-28 advantage on points in the paint was not enough on Wednesday night as the Highlanders fell 71-65 to Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena.
Despite the setback, it's nights like these that paved the way for the program's sharp upward trajectory.
"Growing from these types of games and environments prepares us for when it really matters, but we are lucky to have guys who really thrive in these battles," head coach Mike Magpayo said. "So we hope it pays dividends."
UC Riverside got back to its rebounding ways early with three offensive boards in the first five minutes, with the third coming right before a stepback jumper from Jhaylon Martinez. Four of UCR's five rebounds to start the night came on the offensive glass.
Flynn Cameron drove to the cup after making a steal on the other end to extend a field goal streak to six of their last seven for the Highlanders, cutting a comfortable Oregon lead to 21-17. Cameron was a driving force for UCR in the opening 20 minutes with seven points on a perfect 3 of 3 from the floor, including a three.
The New Zealand native has now connected from deep at least once in all but one game going back to January 31 of last season.
Dominick Pickett and Callum McRae combined for 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first half, as the Highlanders collected 20 of their 37 first half points in the paint while holding Oregon scoreless in the final two and a half minutes.
Pickett reached double digit scoring with UCR's first bucket of the second half and eclipsed the 10-point plateau for the third time this season. While McRae and Pickett continued to lead the way on the offensive end, UCR held the Ducks to just three points up to the first media timeout to close the gap to a 45-43 deficit.
Pickett and McRae's double digit outings made it eight games this year for the Highlanders with at least two scorers in double figures. Pickett's first triple of the night with nine minutes remaining in regulation gave UCR its first lead since 3-2.
JP Moorman II drove through for his first field goal of the night in traffic at the under-four media timeout, cutting into Oregon's lead at 60-63. Moorman converted the free throw to cut it down to a field goal.
UCR put itself in a position to win down the stretch with a 22-12 advantage on points in the paint in the second half, but misses from the three-point line proved costly in the final minute.
UC Riverside will take a week off for finals week before hosting California Baptist in the Crosstown Showdown on Sunday, December 12. The matchup with the Lancers will be broadcast on ESPN+, and fans can purchase tickets at GoHighlanders.com or by emailing highlandertickets@ucr.edu.
