In a compelling Big West confrontation, the UC Riverside Highlanders (10-15, 5-8 Big West) are set to battle the Cal State Fullerton Titans (11-13, 4-8). With both teams aiming to improve their conference standings, this clash promises intense competition. UC Riverside, showing sparks of brilliance in recent outings, looks to capitalize on their momentum. On the other hand, Cal State Fullerton seeks to harness their defensive prowess to clinch a victory. This matchup, airing on ESPN+ on February 15th at 9:00 PM, is not to be missed.
The UC Riverside Highlanders (10-15, 5-8) are navigating through a season of highs and lows, aiming to find a steady rhythm in the Big West conference. Their recent home victory against UC Irvine, with an 88-78 score, showcased their potential when their offense clicks. Averaging 68.8 points per game, UC Riverside struggles with field goal accuracy, shooting just 38.7%, which ranks them near the bottom nationally. Their three-point percentage stands at 31.0, and while free throw shooting is slightly better at 70.0%, it hasn't been enough to significantly lift their offensive output. Rebounding is one area where the Highlanders hold their ground, pulling down an average of 37.3 boards per game, a testament to their effort on the glass.
Defensi vely, UC Riverside allows an average of 71.2 points per game. Their opponents' field goal percentage of 45.5 and 3-point percentage of 35.9 highlight areas for improvement. The Highlanders' defensive rebounding mirrors their offensive output, suggesting a balanced, if not particularly dominant, presence in the paint. In the Big West standings, they find themselves in ninth place, reflecting the uphill battle they face to climb the ranks.
Isaiah Moses is a beacon for UC Riverside, leading the team with an average of 12.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Kyle Owens' contributions on the boards with 5.2 rebounds per game and Ben Griscti's interior defense, evidenced by his team-leading 0.6 blocks per game, are crucial. However, for UC Riverside to ascend in the Big West standings, they'll need more consistent contributions across the board and an uptick in shootin g efficiency.