RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside dropped a 77-65 contest to UC San Diego on Thursday night at the SRC Arena. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nate Pickens quickly opened Thursday's contest with a three not even two minutes into the night. 
• UCR quickly locked itself into a fast-paced rhythm from the opening tip, later going on a quick 5-0 run with a three from Big West Player of the Week Barrington Hargress.  
• Kyle Owens grabbed his third rebound of the night – first on the offensive glass – and turned it into a hard-nosed bucket, converting the free throw to put UCR within five.  
• UC Riverside whittled the deficit down to 10 in the second half on a pair of free throws from Luke Turner at 11:52.  
• Kaleb Smith was one point shy of tying a career high, leading the squad with 18 points on 6 of 14 shooting while grabbing six rebounds and a steal. Smith and Hargress combined for 33 points on 11 of 26 shooting.  

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS 

• Hargress ended the game making four of his final five field goals, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the second half.  
• Smith also did most of his damage after halftime, scoring 15 of his 18 on 5 of 10 shooting.  

UP NEXT 

• UC Riverside returns to action on Saturday, February 24 at Cal Poly for a 7:00 p.m. tip from the Mott Athletics Center.