Recap: UC Riverside vs. UC Santa Barbara

Riverside, CA (Sports Network) - Chris Harriel scored 14 points as the UC Riverside Highlanders outlasted the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, 54-45, in a Big West Conference clash at SRC Arena.

Taylor Johns came off the bench to net 11 points and block three shots for UCR (6-20, 3-11 Big West), which halted a season-long seven-game losing streak. Chris Patton added 10 points for the home team.

Alan Williams tallied a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds for UCSB (8-17, 4-10), although he shot a woeful 4-of-18 from the field. Taran Brown chipped in 12 points. The Gauchos, which shot less than 26 percent from the field in the defensive struggle, have lost six of seven.

Although UCR outshot UCSB from the field in the first half, 38.9 percent to 21.2 percent, the teams went into intermission tied, 20-20. The Gauchos earned extra possessions in the frame by forcing 12 turnovers and corralling seven offensive rebounds.

The Highlanders trailed by three, 32-29, at the 14:28 mark of the second half, but they ripped off nine consecutive points and never trailed for the rest of the game. UCR shot 16-of-19 from the foul line after the break to help seal its fate.

UCR's bench outscored UCSB's reserves, 19-8.