RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Andrew Henderson scored 19 points as the Highlanders used a 40-point second half to pull away from Long Beach State for a 71-61 win.

Henderson went 6 of 14 from the field and hit three 3-pointers, adding five rebounds as the Highlanders outscored the Beach 40-27 after halftime. BJ Kolly finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed five rebounds, while Ben Waller added a season high 13 points, and had seven rebounds and three steals. Marqui Worthy chipped in 10 points and a team-high five assists, and Osiris Grady delivered eight points, a game-high eight rebounds and three blocks to anchor UC Riverside's interior presence.

Long Beach State led 34-31 at the break behind Isaiah Lewis' scoring punch and efficient first-half shooting, but the Highlanders flipped the game with improved shot-making and a stronger defensive effort after intermission. With the game tight late, the Highlanders grabbed their first lead on a BJ Kolly layup with 9:04 remaining and quickly built separation. Kolly converted again at 8:32, and Osiris Grady's jumper at 7:09 pushed the advantage to 54-51.

After Long Beach State trimmed it to a single point, UCR answered with free throws from Andrew Henderson and Ben Waller, then got a key 3-pointer from Jailen Daniel-Dalton at 4:20 to make it 61-53. The Beach got within five in the final minute, but Henderson drilled a 3 with 38 seconds left and Marqui Worthy Jr. iced it at the line with two free throws with 19 seconds remaining.

The Highlanders are back in the SRC Arena this Saturday, January 29th as they tipoff against Cal Poly at 5pm.