- Barrington Hargress leads with 22 points on 57% shooting
- UC Riverside improves to 14-6 in conference play
- Cal State Fullerton’s losing streak extends to 12 games
- Kaleb Brown posts 14 points and 2 blocks for Titans
UC Riverside secured a hard-fought 64-59 victory against Cal State Fullerton in a Big West Conference matchup Saturday. Barrington Hargress dominated offensively, converting 57% of his field goals while contributing 22 points to the Highlanders’ tally. Teammate Isaiah Moses added 12 points, including three three-pointers, as Riverside closed the regular season with momentum heading into postseason play.
Cal State Fullerton struggled to contain Riverside’s backcourt, despite Kaleb Brown’s 14-point effort and two critical blocks. The Titans’ offensive woes continued as they shot just 38% from the field, extending their conference losing streak to 19 games. Freshman forward Kobe Young provided a silver lining with his third double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) of the season.
Industry Insight: The game highlights how guard play remains pivotal in college basketball – Riverside’s backcourt outscored Fullerton’s 34-18. With the NCAA tournament approaching, teams increasingly rely on analytics to optimize lineups, as seen in Riverside’s strategic use of three-point specialists like Moses.
Regional Impact: The Highlanders’ 21-win season marks a 40% improvement from 2022-23, driving increased ticket sales and local business revenue in Riverside County. This contrasts sharply with Orange County’s Fullerton, where dwindling attendance reflects the Titans’ challenging season.
Tech Integration: Automated reporting tools like Data Skrive, which generated the original AP story, now handle 23% of NCAA game recaps. While streamlining coverage, this shift raises questions about the future of sports journalism depth.