Highlanders men's basketball reasserts its winning ways

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team is reasserting its winning ways this season, with a 15-9 overall and 8-4 Big West Conference record that includes a recently concluded five -game winning streak. A Feb. 1 win at Cal Poly at home was the team's fifth consecutive win; UC San Diego ended the streak with a 91-71 victory on Feb. 6. The Highlanders secured victories against UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Cal State Bakersfield, and Cal Poly during the five-game run.

The Highlanders are fourth in the Big West, marking a return to form from the 2022-23 season, when UCR (22-13; 14-6) finished third in the Big West on the strength of current NBA G League player Zyon Pullin and his cohort.

Guard Isaiah Moses, shown in a game earlier this season, chipped in a game high 25 points during the Feb. 6 loss to UC San Diego. Moses, who was UCR's leading scorer this past season, is averaging almost 12 points per game this year.

“We're witnessing a true team effort, with different players stepping up at key moments and embracing the roles needed to succeed each game,” said head coach Mike Magpayo, who was named Big West Coach of the Year in 2022-23. “Our composure and resilience in the face of adversity have been remarkable. When opponents make their runs, this team has shown an ability to stand their ground and respond back.”

Lead scorer Barrington Hargress broke UCR’s Division I single-game scoring record against UC San Diego at home on Jan. 18 with 40 points, marking the first time a player scored 40 points in a single game since UCR became a Division I school in 2001.

Hargress ranks second in the Big West Conference in scoring and 16th nationally, averaging almost 20 points per game, according to NCAA statistics.

Kaleb Smith has averaged 11.1 points per game this season, Isaiah Moses has averaged 10.9 and Nate Pickens, one of only a couple holdovers from the 2022-23 squad, has averaged 9.1.

Director of Athletics Wesley Malette said The Big West is competitive, among the top 10 of the nation's 31 conferences.

"Our league is one where the separation between first and sixth place is usually one or two games. I am incredibly proud of the work and the effort coach Magpayo, his staff, and our team continue to put forth every year," Malette said. "The energy, enthusiasm, and excitement that you are seeing around basketball lifts our whole program.”

UC Riverside will next play Cal State Bakersfield on Feb. 8.

The Highlanders have nine games remaining in the regular season before the Big West Tournament, which begins March 13 at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nev.