Robert Smith knocked down two clutch free throws with four seconds left to help the UC Riverside Highlanders edge the Cal State Northridge Matadors, 63-61, in a Big West Conference battle at The Matadome.
Smith and Phil Martin each finished with 14 points to lead UCR (13-15, 6-8 BWC) as it won its second straight game. B.J. Shearry grabbed 12 rebounds and Kevin Bradshaw pulled down 10 boards in the winning effort.
Ari Feldman scored a team-high nine points for the Matadors (7-19, 3-11) as they lost their second-game in a row. Stephen Maxwell led CSN with seven boards.
The Matadors took a 31-28 lead into the intermission after they shot 34.2 percent from the floor in the opening period. UCR trailed after it lost the rebounding battle 25-19 in the first half.
The Highlanders heated up after the break and hit 56.5 percent of their field goal attempts in the second half. CSN shot just 34.5 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes. The Matadors trailed 61-52 with 5:43 left to play before they put together a late rally. Josh Greene scored the final points for CSN as he tied the score up 61-61 with a layup with 20 seconds left to play. Smith was fouled on the following possession and took care of business at the free throw line to give the Highlanders the victory.
UCR was lucky to escape with a victory after it committed 19 turnovers. CSN had just nine turnovers, but lost the contest due to a poor 6-of-26 shooting performance from three-point range.
Game Notes
