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(January 19, 2008) –
Sophomore Sean Cunningham's layup and a free-throw shot to
complete the three point play with 47 seconds left capped
a last minute comeback in UC Riverside's 70-66 win over Long
Beach State at the Student Rec Center Saturday night. Senior
Larry Cunningham led UCR (4-12, 1-4 Big West) with 20 points
and junior Aaron Scott produced his first career double-double
with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Just as they had in Wednesday’s
tough loss to first place Cal State Northridge, the Highlanders
attacked the basket early and often. This game however, the
young and improving squad was able to get those shots to fall
after they had rolled out against CSUN. The majority of the
points on the night we scored from within or just outside
the paint.
UCR outscored the 49ers
in the paint, 34-26 and also won the rebounding battle, 32-23.
Both teams shot well throughout the night as LBSU finished
21-27 (45.7%) and the Highlanders answered that with a 23-47
(48.9%) performance. But the made shots in the final seconds
by UCR were the deciding factor.
The first half was made
up of tough physical play on both ends as each squad found
success in the paint. The Highlanders put up 16 points led
by Larry Cunningham’s 10 points and junior Christian
Soto’s seven while LBSU also was able to produce down
low, finishing the half with 18 points scored in the paint.
Soto also led all rebounders through the first 20 minutes
with four boards brought down and also one block.
Neither team was able to
pull away from another despite 13-of-26 (50.0%) shooting by
the Highlanders and 12-for-27 (44.4%) shooting by LBSU. UCR
never led more than two and that came just over three minutes
in. The first half had 11 lead changes with the largest advantage
coming at the 12:46 held by the 49ers, 16-10. The two teams
traded baskets for the rest of the first period and two Larry
Cunningham free-throws with 26 seconds left gave UCR the lead,
34-33 at the half.
Each team started the second
half by continuing to run the floor as neither team could
pull away and they traded baskets before a free-throw by LBSU’s
Donovan Morris gave the 49ers their largest lead of the game,
56-49 with just under eight minutes to play.
Another series of baskets
and a very fast paced game ensued until a Larry Cunningham
three cut the Long Beach lead to three, 62-59 with 2:40 on
the clock. LBSU called a timeout after the Cunningham three
to slow the Highlander attack. Coming out of the timeout though,
Long Beach was whistled for having six players on the court.
A technical foul was given, resulting in two free-throw makes
by Larry Cunningham and the ball awarded to UCR. That technical
seemed to ignite the home crowd and also took the momentum
from a 49er squad that struggled to put the game away in the
final minutes.
The Highlanders traded
a couple free-throws with LBSU before Sean Cunningham made
his move. Sean drove the length court after a long rebound
by Scott, and attacked the basket. He was fouled and as both
players went to the floor, the ball went fell through. Sean
finished off the play with his made free-throw and gave UCR
the lead, 67-65 with 47 seconds remaining.
Sean Cunningham and Larry
Cunningham would make the Highlanders final three free-throws
to ice the game to give UCR their first Big West victory to
the season, 70-66. Sean Cunningham finished with 13 points
in support of Larry Cunningham and Scott. Scott was around
every loose ball, and his hustled led to the UCR rebounding
advantage and provided nine second-chance points for the Highlanders.
UCR returns to the court
when they travel to Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday.
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