UC Riverside
2-0,0-0Big West
Denver
0-2,0-0WCC
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 29 | 31 | 60 |
| UC Riverside | 22 | 42 | 64 |
11/7/2026 7:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Behind a 30-point, 10-rebound performance from Tyus Parrish-Tillman, UC Riverside men's basketball overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Denver 64-60 Saturday afternoon at SRC Arena. The Highlanders improved to 2-0 on the season, outscoring the Pioneers 42-31 in the second half to secure their second consecutive victory.
Parrish-Tillman led all scorers with 30 points, shooting 12 of 24 from the field and connecting on five 3-pointers. The senior also recorded three blocks, two assists and two steals to complete his first double-double of the season. Devon Malcolm followed with nine points and seven rebounds, while Easton Reagan contributed eight points, including two 3-pointers, off the bench.
Denver established an early advantage, opening the contest with an 8-2 run. UC Riverside responded with baskets from Reagan and Tony Duckett to cut the deficit to one, but the Pioneers maintained control throughout the opening half. Parrish-Tillman provided the Highlanders with 12 first-half points as Denver entered the break leading 29-22.
The Highlanders began chipping away at the deficit after halftime, with Malcolm scoring five of UC Riverside's first seven points of the period. Denver extended its advantage to nine at 42-33 with 14:31 remaining before the Highlanders answered with a 9-0 run. Parrish-Tillman sparked the rally with a layup and a transition dunk, while Reagan connected from beyond the arc to tie the contest at 42 with 12:25 left.
After Denver regained a four-point advantage, Parrish-Tillman converted a layup and completed the three-point play to give UC Riverside its first lead of the game, 47-46, with 6:41 remaining. The Pioneers briefly moved back in front before Aidan Rice scored in transition to put the Highlanders ahead for good, 49-48, with 5:55 left.
Parrish-Tillman took control down the stretch, connecting on three consecutive 3-pointers to extend UC Riverside's lead to 58-52 with 3:23 remaining. Reagan added another 3-pointer with 59 seconds left to give the Highlanders their largest lead of the afternoon at 61-54. UC Riverside held off Denver in the closing seconds to secure the four-point victory.
Defensively, the Highlanders forced 16 turnovers while committing just seven, converting those opportunities into 18 points. UC Riverside also recorded eight blocks and eight steals, with James Evans Jr. contributing three steals and two blocks. Rice finished with a team-high five assists.
Denver (0-2) was led by Kam Martin's 14 points, while Shaun Wysocki added 13 points and nine rebounds.
UC Riverside (2-0) finished with eight 3-pointers, including six in the second half, and held Denver to 20% shooting from beyond the arc.
