SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders battled into the final minutes and cut a double-digit deficit to two in the second half, but UC Santa Barbara closed the game at the free-throw line to secure a 70-59 win.

Andrew Henderson led the Highlanders with 17 points, adding five rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes. BJ Kolly posted 16 points and six rebounds, while Marqui Worthy Jr. finished with 15 points, three assists and three steals. De'Undrae Perteete Jr. chipped in eight points and four assists as UC Riverside kept pace with the Gauchos for much of the night despite a cold shooting stretch from beyond the arc.

UC Riverside struck first and built an early lead behind interior scoring and active defense, but UC Santa Barbara answered with a strong first half, shooting 57.7 percent and hitting five 3-pointers to take a 39-27 advantage into the break. 

The Highlanders regrouped after halftime and made it a one-possession game. Kolly and Henderson anchored the response, and a Henderson jumper with 6:31 remaining trimmed the deficit to 54-52.

UC Santa Barbara responded with timely baskets and took advantage of late free throws to pull away. UC Riverside finished with 34 points in the paint and forced key turnovers to generate 14 points off turnovers, but UC Santa Barbara's work on the glass and at the line proved to be the difference down the stretch.

The Highlanders step out onto the SRC Arena floor for the final time this season as they honor their seniors on Saturday, February 28th as they face Cal State Northridge at 5pm.