RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside returned to the SRC Arena on Thursday night and was forced to once again fend off a dangerous UC Davis squad, but UCR lived up to the billing in a 72-65 win that cemented a second season sweep of the Aggies in the past three years.
After a sluggish road trip that ended in back-to-back losses, a return to home court combined with what's now become a signature next-man-up mentality was exactly what the Highlanders needed to keep their hat in the Big West race.
"We talked about defending home court and showing our university what a good team we have for our guys to get it done in front of a home crowd," head coach Mike Magpayo said. "That's who we have been all year: a true team where any guy can help us win a game, and tonight we had five guys in double figures. We have to focus one day and one game at a time and we look forward to each and every challenge."
UCR came out of the gate with a jolt of offense, shooting 44.4 percent from the floor midway through the first half. UC Davis, winners of seven of their last nine entering Thursday, was not too far behind with the scoring margin never eclipsing nine points for the longest time. That was until Jamal Hartwell II's jumper at the 7:01 mark of the first half put UCR up by 11.
The Highlanders got an outstanding output from Luke Turner, who pulled down a career-high 10 boards against the Aggies - including seven in the first half - while augmenting his hustle with two assists and three steals on top of 10 points for double double number one in the blue and gold.
Turner's spark helped UCR out-rebound the Aggies 27-16 in a wire-to-wire first half, including 10-3 on the offensive glass. UC Riverside improved to 6-2 when going above 40 rebounds, 10-3 when holding opponents under 70 points and 13-2 when scoring over 70 points.
Zyon Pullin suited up for his 100th game in a Highlander uniform, leading the way with 16 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. Pullin was one of five Highlanders in double figures on the evening, as he and three other starters combined for 49 of UC Riverside's 72 points. One of whom, Wil Tattersall, chipped in with a key 11 points that included a team-high three triples.
UCR maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half against the same Aggie squad that gave the Highlanders a scare three weeks ago to the day in Davis. However, clutch triples from Tattersall and Hartwell gave UC Riverside the offensive boost it needed at the right time to maintain a safe distance.
Hartwell got hot as the contest wound down, hitting five of six that included his clutch three to put the Highlanders above 60 points - but that still wouldn't deter UC Davis from causing a second scare in as many meetings this season.
The Aggies strung together six of seven field goals in the final minutes to pull within five with time winding down, but Turner sank four free throws to cement his double double and the win.
UC Riverside now faces the gauntlet of its Big West schedule next, starting with Saturday's nationally-televised bout at UC Irvine. The 7:30 p.m. tilt with the Anteaters will be streamed live on ESPNU.
