RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside men's basketball returned to the SRC Arena for the first time since November 19, falling 92-84 in overtime to San Diego.
Tuesday night's rematch from last year was the Highlanders' second consecutive rematch after a second straight game against Oregon on December 14, and one that required all 30 of Zyon Pullin's points. Pullin's three from up top early in the overtime period cemented him as the newest member of the program's 1,000-point club.
Flynn Cameron had the hot hand early with UCR's first seven points of the night, following up a pair of circus shots with a triple - all in the game's first four minutes. Cameron entered double-digit scoring before the game saw its first stoppage, racking up 10 of the Highlanders' first 12 as both teams traded 2-for-4 3-point clips from the opening tip.
UCR went big out of halftime and got Kyle Owens involved early with back-to-back buckets for the Montana transfer, both on the assist from Pullin. Owens dropped a season-high 15 points on the night on 5-of-7 shooting with a team-high seven rebounds.
Pullin came alive in the second half and overtime with 24 of his 30 points, including a clutch three that gave UCR its first lead of the ball game at 56-55. The trey effectively erased a 10-point deficit for the second time this season after the Highlanders came back from down 20 at LMU earlier this season.
The Preseason All-Big West guard became the first Highlander to score 30 points in a game since Callum McRae's 32 against UC Santa Barbara last season.
UC Riverside played with a favorable tempo in the second half, limiting the Toreros to fewer possessions per trip down the floor while grabbing 20 of their 33 rebounds in the second half and extra period. UCR had to make another small comeback, but easily erased a nine-point deficit in 40 seconds as Pullin led the Highlanders to an 11-2 run to close regulation and force overtime.
UCR was unable to find an answer to the Toreros in the extra period, however, falling in its first game at the SRC Arena since Homecoming on November 19.
UC Riverside is back at the SRC Arena on Thursday, December 22 against another quality West Coast Conference opponent in Portland. Tipoff is at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+ and tickets are available at highlanderstickets.universitytickets.com.
