UC Riverside uses 2nd-half run to beat Denver 63-54

Dec 23, 2015, 12:25 am

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Jaylen Bland was 4 of 8 from 3-point range with 20 points, Taylor Johns had 14 points and eight rebounds and UC Riverside beat Denver 63-54 on Tuesday night.

Bland hit a 3-pointer in the final second of the first half to give the Highlanders (8-5) the lead for good at 29-26. Riverside opened the second with the next 12 points to extend to 41-26 on Johns' basket at 14:15.

UC Riverside held Denver (8-5) off until the Pioneers cut back within single digits on Jake Pemberton's 3-pointer which made it 57-49 with 1:37 left. Denver got no closer from there.

Joe Rosga had 11 points and Nate Engesser scored 10 for Denver, which led once at 18-16 in the first half.

UC Riverside had 17 turnovers to Denver's 16. The Highlanders outrebounded the Pioneers 30-19.