UC Riverside men’s basketball team struggles to put away UC Merced in opener – Press Enterprise

RIVERSIDE — UC Riverside men’s basketball coach Mike Magpayo is the picture of calm on the sidelines, but there were moments during Tuesday night’s season opener where Magpayo couldn’t conceal some frustration.

The Highlanders dominated the glass but squandered multiple chances to put away NAIA member school UC Merced on Tuesday. Barrington Hargress scored 16 points off the bench, and Jhaylon Martinez added 13 points and 10 rebounds as UC Riverside ultimately escaped with a 76-69 victory at the SRC Arena.

UC Merced (1-1) drained 6 of 10 shots and raced out to a 15-8 lead six minutes into the game. Magpayo called his first timeout to settle things down, and the Highlanders responded with a 26-6 run over the next 11 minutes to take a double-digit lead. Martinez scored 12 points during that key stretch for UC Riverside.

UC Riverside was looking to extend that advantage before halftime, but UC Merced countered with a 9-0 run to get back in the game. Hargress hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give UCR the 41-32 lead at the break.

Chris Bramah scored a game-high 27 points for UC Merced, and his 3-pointer cut the deficit to 48-45 four minutes into the second half. Bramah made 9 of 14 shots in the game, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc.

With his hands on his hips, Magpayo once again called a timeout. It was exactly what was needed for the Highlanders, who pieced together an 11-3 run to get the lead back to double figures. UCR led by as many as 14 points with 5:17 remaining, but the Highlanders left the door open. Bramah and Josiah Ajiake each hit 3-pointers, and Bramah drained three free throws to help UC Merced get within 74-68 with 1:23 left.

Hargress and Luke Turner each sank a free throw in the final seconds to help seal the Highlanders’ victory.

UC Riverside out-rebounded UC Merced 43-31, including a 23-6 edge on the offensive glass. Turner and Wil Tattersall each finished with six rebounds, and Vladimer Salaridze had five boards for the Highlanders.

Turner, who played his first three high school season at Rancho Christian, scored 11 points. Damien High graduate Kaleb Smith scored all seven of his points during a 92-second stretch of the second half.

Aidan Sevilla and Jaron Mertle scored 17 and 12 points, respectively, for UC Merced.

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