HENDERSON, Nev. - UC Riverside saw its quest for a Big West postseason title end on Friday night at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, falling 92-87 to UC Santa Barbara in the semifinals of the Big West Championships. 

UCR bows out of the Big West Championships with a program-Division I record 22-12 mark. 

"I had the time of my life this year with these guys," head coach Mike Magpayo said. "They're hurting in there and so am I. They've got nothing to hang their head about…I enjoyed every second coaching this group and this year was special."

UCR got off to a hot start with two quick buckets, including a three from up top out of the hands of Lachlan Olbrich. The Highlanders stretched that into as good a start as you could ask for, forcing the Gauchos to call time with a 13-2 lead thanks to a 3-for-4 start from downtown. 

Olbrich's early three spearheaded his 12 points in Friday's semifinal after being limited offensively in UCR's quarterfinal win over UC Davis.

UCR shot 53 percent from the floor up to the under-12 media break and eight total threes in the first half, going into the intermission making seven of its last nine field goals with a 6-0 run up to the horn.

The Highlanders' quick start caught up to them, though. Santa Barbara went on a 12-0 run that helped them come neck and neck with the Highlanders, where a fastbreak layup kept the margin at three or less for much of the half's remaining eight minutes. Flynn Cameron hit his fourth three of the game at the halftime buzzer as UC Riverside went into the half with a three-point edge. 

Cameron then started taking over in the second half, setting a new career high with 31 points while hitting UCR's first three of the second half across from the Highlander bench that brought UC Riverside to within one. The Highlanders kept punching back with each subsequent Gaucho response, but was unable to slow down a Santa Barbara offense that ultimately made 11 of its final 14 shots from the field. 

Zyon Pullin poured in 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting while Jamal Hartwell II paced the Highlander bench with 12 points.