RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Highlanders trimmed the deficit to one possession in the final seconds, but UC San Diego held on for a 69–66 win in Big West action.
Andrew Henderson led the Highlanders with a game-high 27 points, shooting 8-for-20 from the floor and a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Tyler Jones scored a career high 17 points, knocking down four three-pointers, while Osiris Grady finished with 15 points and provided a steady presence on both ends of the floor.
Henderson's scoring punch paced UC Riverside offensively, while Grady and Jailen Daniel-Dalton shared team-high rebounding honors with six apiece. BJ Kolly facilitated the offense with a team-best four assists, Grady anchored the interior defense with two blocks, and Jones led the way defensively with two steals.
UC Riverside carried a 32–26 lead into halftime after building momentum late in the first half, closing the period on a 10–0 run capped by a Jones three-pointer at the buzzer. The Highlanders shot 37.9 percent in the opening half and limited UC San Diego to 26 points before the break.
The Tritons responded after halftime, outscoring UC Riverside 43–34 in the second half to swing the game. UC San Diego used timely perimeter shooting and trips to the free-throw line to seize control, while the Highlanders continued to answer behind Henderson's shot-making and Grady's activity in the paint.
Over the final five minutes, the contest tightened into a possession-by-possession battle. UC San Diego grabbed the lead on a three-pointer at the 4:54 mark, but UC Riverside responded at the line to pull even at 55–55 with 4:31 remaining. Grady followed with a layup at the 2:39 mark to tie the game again at 57–57, keeping the Highlanders within striking distance.
UC San Diego then pushed the margin to six points with 53 seconds remaining, but UC Riverside answered immediately. Grady scored on the break at 0:46, and Henderson finished in the paint at the 17-second mark to cut the deficit to 63–61. After the Tritons extended the lead at the free-throw line, Henderson calmly converted three free throws with six seconds left to pull the Highlanders within one. UC San Diego answered again from the stripe, and Henderson made two more with three seconds remaining to make it 67–66. The Tritons closed out the final seconds at the line to close the game 69-66
UC Riverside finished the night shooting 85.0 percent from the free-throw line and continued to show resilience late as Big West play moves forward.
The Highlanders are on the road to face Long Beach State on Thursday, January 15th with tipoff set for 7pm.
