RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders used a dominant second-half performance to take down UC Santa Barbara 81-69 on Thursday night at the SRC Arena. The Highlanders improved to 17-10 overall and 10-5 in Big West play after outscoring the Gauchos 44-32 in the final 20 minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Barrington Hargress led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 10-for-21 from the field, while also adding six assists and four rebounds.
• Nate Pickens contributed 18 points, connecting on four three-pointers, and added five rebounds.
• Isaiah Moses provided 15 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line while dishing out three assists.
• UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara were locked in a tight first half, heading into the break tied at 37-37 after seven ties and 15 lead changes in the opening 20 minutes.
• The Highlanders pulled away in the second half, shooting 53.8% from the field while holding the Gauchos to just 44%. A crucial 8-0 run midway through the half, capped by a three-pointer from Pickens, gave UC Riverside a lead they would not surrender.
• The Highlanders sealed the game with clutch free throws, hitting 13-of-14 from the line in the second half.

NOTABLES

• Hargress recorded his 14th 25+ point performance of the season.
• UC Riverside shot 48.3% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line, including 92.9% in the second half.
• The Highlanders outrebounded UC Santa Barbara 38-24, securing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points.
• UC Riverside's defense forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 14 points.

UP NEXT
UC Riverside will take on Long Beach State on Thursday, February 20^th with tip off set for 7pm.