UC Riverside
1-0,0-0Big West
La Verne
0-0,0-0SCIAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Verne | 21 | 26 | 47 |
| UC Riverside | 52 | 58 | 110 |
11/2/2026 10:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside men's basketball opened the 2026-27 season in commanding fashion Monday night, defeating La Verne 110-47 at SRC Arena. The Highlanders showcased a balanced offensive attack under second-year head coach Gus Argenal, placing five players in double figures while shooting 57.5% from the field.
Tony Duckett led the Highlanders with a game-high 21 points, shooting an efficient 8 of 10 from the field and connecting on three 3-pointers. Duckett also contributed four rebounds and four assists in his UC Riverside debut.
Tyus Parrish-Tillman followed with 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, finishing 6 of 10 from the floor. Devon Malcolm made an immediate impact off the bench, recording 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while James Evans Jr. added 12 points behind three 3-pointers.
Dallas Washington contributed 11 points, and Ben Waller rounded out the Highlanders' top scorers with eight points.
UC Riverside established control early, taking a 52-21 advantage into halftime. The Highlanders connected on 20 of 39 field-goal attempts in the opening period, including six 3-pointers, while limiting La Verne to just 19.4% shooting.
The Highlanders continued their offensive momentum after the break, scoring 58 second-half points while shooting 64.7% from the field. UC Riverside finished the contest with 13 made 3-pointers on 29 attempts, shooting 44.8% from beyond the arc.
Defensively, the Highlanders held La Verne to 26.3% shooting and forced 23 turnovers. UC Riverside also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Leopards 51-38, while recording 23 assists and 11 steals.
The victory highlighted the Highlanders' depth, with all 15 players seeing action and 12 contributing to the scoring column. UC Riverside's 110-point performance marked an impressive start to the new campaign as the Highlanders look to build momentum throughout the season.
UC Riverside (1-0) returns to action Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Highlanders host Denver at SRC Arena for UC Riversides Homecoming game.
