Old Division II foes CSUB, UC Riverside renew rivalry
| Tuesday, Dec 01 2009 11:16 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Dec 01 2009 11:18 PM
CSUB at UC Riverside
When: 7 p.m.
Where: UCR Student Rec Center
Records: CSUB 1-3, UCR 3-2
Series: CSUB leads 41-29 (1-1 in Div. I era)
Radio: 1180 AM
Probable CSUB starters guards Donavan Bragg and Stephon Carter, forwards Trent Blakley and Bryan Emanuel and center Santwon Latunde
Of note Junior F Kyle Austin, a first-team All-Big West pick last season, leads UCR in scoring (14.6) and rebounding (8.4). Senior guard-forward Larry Gurganious, a transfer from Gonzaga, had a tip-in at the buzzer on Saturday when UCR won at Sacramento State 59-58.
With Cal State Bakersfield on its Christmas break from classes, the Roadrunner basketball team can focus on basketball.
Eight games are scheduled this month, starting tonight when CSUB travels to UC Riverside to face one of its traditional rivals. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Roadrunners and Highlanders constantly battled for conference and Division II national supremacy before Riverside moved to NCAA Division I status following the 1999-2000 season.
CSUB (1-3) took a 10-day break between games to allow players to focus on final exams for the fall quarter. CSUB dropped an 81-74 decision at Cal State Northridge on Monday.
"This was only our fourth game and we're still trying to figure out roles and depth on our bench," CSUB coach Keith Brown said after Monday's game. "We found out we have some guys who are not ready for the game and the speed of things at this time, and others who did some nice things."
Tonight is the 71st meeting between the schools but only the third in CSUB's (and Riverside's) Division I era.
Trent Blakley had 17 points in last season's game and nearly made a game-clinching steal and fastbreak in the final 10 seconds. Instead, he was called for a foul, Riverside's Rudy Meo hit two free throws and the Highlanders won 64-63.
Riverside (3-2) has won three straight since opening the season with losses to New Mexico and USC.
Notes CSUB men's basketball mini-ticket packs are on sale. For $34, fans get tickets to six games, including games against Big West teams UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, UOP and Cal State Northridge. Midcourt and premium seating are available. Call 654-2583 for more information.
