Titans Are UC Riverside’s First Victim

Chances are it won’t go down as one of UC Riverside’s most memorable basketball victories.

After all, Riverside upset fourth-ranked Iowa in the Chaminade Christmas tournament in Hawaii in 1988 when the Highlanders were a Division II team.

But Riverside, playing its first full Division I schedule, picked up its first victory of the season Saturday night at the expense of struggling Cal State Fullerton.

The Highlanders overcame a 24-point effort by Titan guard Kevin Richardson for a 59-52 nonconference victory in front of 1,775 at the Riverside Rec Center.

The Titans (0-2) were playing without two of their top players, Ike Harmon and Brandon Campbell. Harmon is suspended indefinitely, and Campbell is sidelined for at least three more weeks with a sprained knee ligament.

The Highlanders (1-3), who will move into the Big West Conference next season, got 17 points from Mark Miller and 10 each from Viliamu Morton and Kevin Butler.

Riverside shot 38.6% from the floor to 40.9% for the Titans, but the Highlanders made 20 of 28 free throws to 11 of 16 for Fullerton. Riverside had a 37-23 rebounding advantage.

“We’re not a good rebounding team, and it showed,” Titan Coach Donny Daniels said. “We also had 18 turnovers--and they played a zone. We’re going to have to be a tougher team than that.”

Richardson, who played at nearby San Bernardino High, had a strong effort with his parents and other members of his family at the game.

“I was just trying to do everything I could to get us a victory,” Richardson said.

Richardson made nine of 18 shots from the floor, including three of five three-point attempts.

“Richardson kept them in it,” Riverside Coach John Masi said. “We thought Richardson was more of a driver, but he made some key shots from outside. But Fullerton was missing those two guys, and we were able to match up well with them inside.”

Daniels indicated that there is a chance Harmon’s status could be resolved next week.

Both teams were sluggish on offense early, and Riverside didn’t score in the first five minutes. The Titans took a 5-0 lead, but didn’t take control.

Fullerton struggled to get the ball inside in the first half, and neither team was able to gain any momentum. Riverside led, 31-29, at halftime after Steve Clayton sank two free throws with four seconds left following Josh Fischer’s third foul.

The Titans got off to a good start in the second half, scoring the first six points, but Matt Caldwell was called for two quick fouls and went to the bench with four with only three minutes gone in the half. The Titans’ offense sagged after that, and Fischer picked up his fourth foul with slightly more than 12 minutes left.

Richardson kept Fullerton in the game late with two three-pointers and a steal and layup. That helped cut Riverside’s lead to 53-49, but the Highlanders held on for the victory.

The game was the first between the teams since 1974, but they will play again at Titan Gym March 3. Fullerton’s next game is at home Tuesday against Pepperdine.