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(December. 29, 2007) – UC Riverside wrapped
up their non-conference schedule with a tough 70-57 loss to
the #24 University of Southern California Trojans (9-3) at
the Galen Center in Los Angeles Saturday night. Senior Larry
Cunningham led the way for the Highlanders (3-8) with a team-high
19 points.
The Highlanders jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair
of three-point baskets. The first coming from sophomore Sean
Cunningham and the second from Larry Cunningham as they led
10-8 over the Trojans through the first four and a half minutes.
UCR continued to build the lead through the first half. The
Trojans turned the ball over a total of seven times that the
Highlanders turned into 10 points. Following a four-point
play by Larry Cunningham, the Riverside lead reached 14 points
with 8:12 remaining in the half.
USC then answered with an 11-2 run to cut the lead back down
to within one with 3:24 remaining. The Trojans regained the
lead, 32-32, on a pair of free throws by Daniel Hackett. The
teams went into half time tied 34-34 after Larry Cunningham
knotted the game with his fourth three-pointer of the half.
The Highlanders made six of their 10 shots (60.0 %) from behind
the arc in the first half.
The teams traded baskets through the first six minutes of
the second half. Following a dunk by Taj Gibson the Trojans
again led 44-43 at 14:54 mark. UCR struggled to keep pace
with the up-tempo game of the Trojans as USC out scored the
Highlanders 11-0 on fast break points through out the game.
The young Highlander offense continued to battle but failed
get through a tough Trojan defense in the second half as their
shooting went cold in the closing minutes. Finishing the game
19-for-58 (32.8%). USC used an 11-3 run to close out the game,
holding the Highlanders zero field goal makes in the final
7:52.
Freshman Jalonni Diggs added 10 points and Sean Cunningham
brought down a team-high seven boards for Riverside. USC was
led by freshman standout O.J. Mayo who led all scorers with
game-highs of 20 points and eight rebounds.
The Highlanders will hit the road to open Big West Conference
play with games next week at Pacific on Wednesday and at UC
Davis on Saturday.
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