GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The Highlanders battled wire to wire in a tight contest Thursday night, holding off North Dakota for a 74–70 win at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center to move to 2–0 under first-year head coach Gus Argenal.

Marqui Worthy led the Highlanders with 21 points, going 6-for-9 from the field and 9-for-11 from the free-throw line while adding five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Osiris Grady followed with 19 points and six rebounds, continuing his efficient play inside by shooting 6-for-11 and 7-for-8 from the line. Jailen Daniel-Dalton added 10 points and four boards, and Andrew Henderson chipped in 10 points on 3-for-4 shooting with three assists.

UC Riverside shot 55.8 percent from the field and 81.5 percent from the free-throw line while limiting North Dakota to just 44 percent overall and 26 percent from three.

The Highlanders seized control midway through the first half with a 9–0 run that stretched their lead to double digits. North Dakota battled back late, cutting the deficit to two with under a minute to play, but clutch free throws from Worthy and Grady sealed the road victory.

UC Riverside outscored the Fighting Hawks 40–34 in the paint and forced 19 turnovers that led to nine points. The win marks the Highlanders' first road victory of the season and makes Argenal the first coach in UCR's Division I era to start his tenure 2–0.

Next up the Highlanders will remain on the road as they take on the New Mexico Lobos on Tuesday, November 11th with tip off set for 6:00pm.