BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - UC Riverside's battle mentality was called upon for the second game in a row, and for the second time in as many games, the Highlanders were up to the challenge, scoring a gutsy 65-64 road win at CSU Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon.
It was the second straight win over the Roadrunners and first at the Icardo Center since the 2014-15 season, and couldn't have come in an environment that suited the Highlanders more.
"We talked before the game that this would be very hostile territory, but we've been battle tested early in the season," head coach Mike Magpayo said. "Our guys take pleasure in this type of environment."
Callum McRae started 3 of 4 from the field as a silver lining to a slow start for UCR. Dragan Elkaz sparked life into that slow start with a corner three, cutting the Highlanders' deficit to four halfway through the first half.
Cold offensive stretches from both teams colored what was otherwise a fast-paced few minutes late in the first half leading up to a media timeout at the 6:27 mark, but Dominick Pickett's play off the ball kept the Highlanders hanging around with four rebounds, two assists and two steals in the first half.
Pickett ended his afternoon with a season-high 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting to go along with five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
McRae and Zyon Pullin spurred UCR's dribble penetration that led to a stretch of 3 of 4 from the field, leading to a CSU Bakersfield timeout with a three-point margin just before halftime. Pickett capped off the late push with a runner to beat the horn, leading UC Riverside into the intermission trailing by just one.
A late push against the halftime break turned into a 9-0 run on the flip side after McRae cut to the hole on an assist from Pullin and Flynn Cameron converted on the ensuing UCR possession to give the Highlanders their first lead of the afternoon.
Stagnant offense from both sides cooled down a hot start to the second half, but again, Pullin's dribble penetration and floater finish gave UCR the four-point cushion with 13 minutes remaining.
UCR faced second-half adversity again in what has become a theme in an early Big West season. Pickett's teardrop to cut Bakersfield's lead to three made it four games in his last six with double-digit scoring, extending the run to 5-0 in a minute's span while Bakersfield answered the bell each time with UCR counterpunching.
Pickett drained a three from the wing at the 4:36 mark to give him a new season high of 16 points and UCR a much-needed six-point cushion, just before McRae secured his third double double of the year with his 10th board of the afternoon.
Cameron picked up his second steal of the day at a critical point in the game, picking a pocket with two minutes left and relaying it up to a waiting Pullin, whose layup was followed with the completion of the three-point play.
Minutes later, Pickett sank a pair of free throws before UCR held off Bakersfield on the final possession for the road win.
UC Riverside's road swing continues on Thursday, January 20 with a 7:00 p.m. tip against UC Santa Barbara. Thursday's matchup with the Gauchos will be streamed live on ESPN+ with live stats available at ucsbgauchos.com.
