SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders' comeback effort fell just short as the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to secure a 66-63 victory over the Highlanders on Thursday night at the Thunderdome.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Barrington Hargress scored a team-high 18 points, including a clutch three-pointer with eight seconds left to tie the game at 63.
• Nate Pickens contributed 15 points and five rebounds, while Joel Armotrading added eight points and four rebounds off the bench.
• UC Riverside held a 28-23 lead at halftime but was outscored 43-35 in the second half as UC Santa Barbara's offense surged late.
• The Highlanders tied the game with eight seconds left on Hargress's deep three-pointer, but UC Santa Barbara responded with their own three-pointer at the buzzer to claim the win.

NOTABLES

• Hargress's 18 points marked his 18th double-digit scoring performance in a row this season.
• The Highlanders outrebounded UC Santa Barbara 43-34, including 16 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points.

UP NEXT

• UC Riverside will return home to face UC San Diego on Saturday, January 18th, with tip-off set for 5:00 p.m. as the Highlanders welcome back 3x World Series Champions Joe and Ashley Kelly in celebration of Alumni Appreciation Night.