Saturday, November 11
Ames, IA
UC Riverside
64
vs
55
Eastern Illinois
Highlanders Get First Win With 64-55 Victory Over Eastern Illinois
11/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The UC Riverside Highlanders overcame an early shooting slump and, led by junior guard Larry Cunningham's 18 points, posted a come-from-behind 64-55 over Eastern Illinois at the American Family BTI Cyclone Challenge at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, IA Saturday.
The Highlanders are 1-1, Eastern Illinois is 0-2.
Cunningham scored 14 of his game-high 18 in the second half, and senior guard Justin Bell had 13 points, making a pair of threes and seven-of-eight from the free throw line. Junior forward B.J. Visman came off the bench to score 10 points and add five rebounds. UCR won the battle of the boards, 35-31, but still struggled with turnovers, committing 18 to Eastern Illinois' 13.
Jon'Tee Whillhite was the lone Panther to score in double figures, recording 14 points.
The Highlanders shot just 30.4% (7-of-23) in the first half, getting off to their second slow start in as many games as they trailed 18-5 with 9:01 remaining following a 16-2 run by the Panthers. But UCR locked down the defense and, after EIU's Bobby Catchings drained a jumper with 6:43 remaining to make it 22-10, the Panthers did not score again for the rest of the half. During the stretch, EIU missed nine field goal attempts, three free throws and committed three turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders chipped away at the lead behind the strong play of Cunningham, senior guard Dedrick Bates and freshman guard Korri Ennis, cutting the margin to one at 22-21 as the half ran out.
The Highlanders took the lead for good with 17:13 left in the game on a jumper by Bates and by the 9:04 mark had swollen the lead to 11 at 45-34 on back-to-back buckets by Cunningham. EIU regrouped and drew to within six at 54-58 with 3:04 left, but could get no closer as the Highlanders built the margin back to double figures by hitting seven-of-eight free throws in the final 1:17 before settling for a nine-point win as EIU's Romain Martin drained a consolation three at the buzzer.
It is the first time since the 2004-05 season and just the second time in the Division I era that the Highlanders have won a game this early in the season.
The Highlanders are 1-1, Eastern Illinois is 0-2.
Cunningham scored 14 of his game-high 18 in the second half, and senior guard Justin Bell had 13 points, making a pair of threes and seven-of-eight from the free throw line. Junior forward B.J. Visman came off the bench to score 10 points and add five rebounds. UCR won the battle of the boards, 35-31, but still struggled with turnovers, committing 18 to Eastern Illinois' 13.
Jon'Tee Whillhite was the lone Panther to score in double figures, recording 14 points.
The Highlanders shot just 30.4% (7-of-23) in the first half, getting off to their second slow start in as many games as they trailed 18-5 with 9:01 remaining following a 16-2 run by the Panthers. But UCR locked down the defense and, after EIU's Bobby Catchings drained a jumper with 6:43 remaining to make it 22-10, the Panthers did not score again for the rest of the half. During the stretch, EIU missed nine field goal attempts, three free throws and committed three turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders chipped away at the lead behind the strong play of Cunningham, senior guard Dedrick Bates and freshman guard Korri Ennis, cutting the margin to one at 22-21 as the half ran out.
The Highlanders took the lead for good with 17:13 left in the game on a jumper by Bates and by the 9:04 mark had swollen the lead to 11 at 45-34 on back-to-back buckets by Cunningham. EIU regrouped and drew to within six at 54-58 with 3:04 left, but could get no closer as the Highlanders built the margin back to double figures by hitting seven-of-eight free throws in the final 1:17 before settling for a nine-point win as EIU's Romain Martin drained a consolation three at the buzzer.
It is the first time since the 2004-05 season and just the second time in the Division I era that the Highlanders have won a game this early in the season.
Day in the Life: Leilani Juan
Monday, May 04
UCR Student-Athletes cheer on our students.
Friday, May 01
UCR Athletics Director Introductory Full Press Conference
Tuesday, March 24
Athletics Director Greg Paules Introductory Presentation Recap
Tuesday, March 24
