RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside returned to the SRC Arena on Thursday evening to continue Big West action against Cal State Fullerton, falling 77-62. 

Flynn Cameron and Jamal Hartwell II combined for nine of UCR's first 11 points, as Cameron started 2 of 3 from downtown. UC Riverside hit a cold stretch from the field, but took its offense inside with a second-chance look from Lachlan Olbrich to beat the shot clock buzzer and a layup from Luke Turner on the ensuing Highlander possession.

Hartwell made his first start as a Highlander following last Saturday's buzzer beater at Long Beach State. 

Jhaylon Martinez got the memo with the inside game, going 3 for 3 from the field to pull the Highlanders to within seven at the 2:40 mark of the first half. UCR was all over the offensive boards in the first half, leading to seven second-chance points. 11 of the Highlanders' 28 points at the break came off the bench, led by seven from Martinez. 

The Highlanders did very well to limit Fullerton on the offensive glass while prospering in the same department on their own end. UC Riverside held the Titans to just two offensive boards on the night and three second-chance points while recording a season-high 18 of their own. UCR held a +14 rebound margin as the second-highest this season while assisting on 19 of its 23 field goals, as seven Highlanders enjoyed multi-assist evenings. 

Martinez became the first Highlander in double figure scoring on the night with a pair of second-half free throws as UCR continued to chip away at the double-digit deficit. The redshirt sophomore went for 13 points and seven rebounds against the Titans on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting for his second 10-rebound game of the season while coming three rebounds shy of his second double double. 

UC Riverside caught fire late in the second half with an 11-0 run that put the Highlanders within 12 after Hartwell's jumper from inside the three-point line. On the other end, UCR held the Titans scoreless for the previous three minutes. 

UCR will try to get back on track on Saturday, January 7 against CSUN at 5:00 p.m. on ESPN+.