Riverside—Defense ruled the day Saturday, but it was missed free throws that loomed the largest as the UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team had its four game winning streak snapped in a 63-59 loss to CSUN.

After trailing for much of the second half, the Highlanders (6-12, 4-3) regained the lead with 6:27 to go on a Koh Flippin lay up. UCR still led by one, 58-57, following Chance Murray's jumper at the 1:25 mark, but a Michael Warren three on the Matadors' next possession put CSUN up two.

Murray was fouled on the Highlanders' next trip down the floor, and made one of two free throws cutting the Matadors lead in half. Afer forcing a CSUN miss, Murray was once again fouled, but he missed both freebies, and it remained a one-point Matadors lead. 

The Highlanders were forced to foul on CSUN's next two offensive possessions, and the Maradors made three of four from the charity stripe for the eventual four-point margin of victory, Meanwhile the Highlanders committed a turnover and shot an errant three on their final two possessions of the game.

Prior to Murray's misses, UC Riverside was 11 for 11 from the free throw line in the second half. The Matadors (9-12, 5-3) made 22 of 30 free throws on the evening, while the Highlanders connected on 15 of 22. That was the difference in the ballgame, as both teams made fewer than 35 percent of their shots from the field.

Dikymbe Martin led the Highlanders offense with 13 point son six of nine shooting. Secean Johnson added 12 points, and Murray finished with 11.

Tavrion Dawson posted a 22-point, 12 rebound double-double, while Warren scored 12 points.

The Highlanders remain at home this week, hosting Hawai'i on Thursday, February 2 at 8 pm PT. The Women's team takes on the Rainbow Wahine at 5 pm as part of a double header against the Aloha State. residents.