RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside men's basketball opened the 2023-24 season on Tuesday night at the SRC Arena with a 76-69 win over UC Merced.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Luke Turner scored UCR's first four points of the season and Kyle Owens immediately drew a one-and-one upon subbing in, his first appearance since late January of last season.  
• UC Riverside went on a 6-0 run with Owens on the floor, sparked by the Montana transfer hitting a three from up top.  
• Jhaylon Martinez muscled inside minutes later to put UCR down just a point at the media break and Barrington Hargress made the most of his Highlander debut early, giving UCR its first lead of the game with a three up top at 10:30 of the first half. The duo went on to each enjoy standout performances of their own on opening night.  
• Isaiah Moses maintained UCR's hot hand from deep with his own three from the top of the key, one of five Highlanders to convert from long range in the first half.  
• Hargress continued his stellar play in the second half and knocked down his third triple of the night to put the Highlanders up 51-45 at 15:40.  
• Kaleb Smith picked up his first collegiate points on a put back at 6:54 of the second half, giving UCR the 63-53 lead less than a minute after subbing in. Smith came up with the steal on the ensuing possession and drew the foul before sinking a pair at the free throw line. The redshirt freshman wasn't done yet and knocked down a three with just over five minutes remaining, all but putting the game out of reach.  
• UC Merced brought the deficit down to two possessions with just under a minute remaining, but Hargress came up with his first steal before UCR shut down the comeback attempt.  

FROM COACH MAGPAYO

• I think it's always good to learn from a win. Credit to UC Merced who kept hitting big shots and big free throws. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS 

• Owens' early three started a 19-4 UC Riverside run that spanned eight and a half minutes of the first half. UCR also finished the first half strong on a 5-0 run in 1:07.  
• Moses, Hargress and Smith all made their UCR debuts on Tuesday and combined for 31 points on 10-of-20 shooting. 
• UCR limited the Bobcats to just six offensive rebounds on the night, winning the overall rebound battle 43-31. Martinez was a critical piece of UCR's rebounding efforts, picking up career double double number three with 13 points and 10 boards. 
• Luke Turner joined Hargress and Martinez in double figures with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting.  

UP NEXT 

• UC Riverside will hit the road for its first of four Power 5 road trips this season, traveling to Utah on Friday, November 10. Tipoff from the Jon M. Huntsman Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.