LAS VEGAS, Nev. — UC Riverside's defense held strong early, but the Highlanders couldn't keep pace offensively, falling 66-53 to UNLV on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Barrington Hargress led the Highlanders (8-5) with 17 points, including two 3-pointers, while adding two rebounds and two steals.
• Nate Pickens contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Kaleb Smith added five points and six boards.
• UC Riverside started strong, trailing by just two at halftime, 31-29. The team's 45 rebounds, including 23 offensive boards, generated 18 second-chance points but weren't enough to overcome their shooting woes.
• UNLV pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Highlanders 35-24.
•  UC Riverside's defense forced nine turnovers and held UNLV to just three made 3-pointers on 19 attempts.

NOTABLES

• Hargress has scored 10+ points in each of the 13 games the Highlanders have played this season.
• The Highlanders are two wins away from reaching 1,000 all-time wins

UP NEXT

• The Highlanders return to the SRC Arena to close out 2024 on Sunday, December 29 for a 2:00 p.m. contest with St. Thomas (Minn.) on ESPN+. Tickets are available now at gohighlanders.com/tickets.