Riverside—The UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team concluded its 2014-15 regular season Saturday evening, dropping a 59-58 decision to visiting Long Beach State.

Heading into the game, the Highlanders (14-16, 7-9) had a shot at finishing with the fifth seed in next week's Big West Conference Tournament, but they had to settle for the sixth seed. UC Riverside will take on UC Irvine Thursday at Honda Center beginning at 6 pm PT.

The 49ers (16-16, 10-6) led by as many as 11 points in the first half, forcing the Highlanders into nine turnovers, and outrebounding them 18-9, including 8-1 on the offensive glass.

UC Riverside turned things around in the second half, however. scoring 13 of the first 18 points after the break to cut the Long Beach State lead to one, 40-39.

The Highlanders took their first lead of the second half on an Alex Larsson lay up with 9:28 to go, but the 49ers went on a 10-2 run to retake the lead. UC Riverside shot 52.4 percent from the field in the second period, but made just six of 14 shots from the charity stripe, which ultimately cost them as Long Beach State held on for the one point win.

Travis Hammonds led the 49ers with a game-high 13 points, while David Samuels added a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Taylor Johns, Nick Gruninger and Jaylen Bland each led the Highlanders with 11 points.