UC Riverside Stuns Long Beach State in 10-Point Upset

In a shocking turn of events, UC Riverside pulled off a significant upset at the SRC Arena, defeating Long Beach State 71-61. The Highlanders, ranked 276 in the net rankings, took down the 49ers, who sat 31 spots above them at 245. This victory marked a substantial upset, as CHD Scout had predicted a narrow Long Beach State win by just 0.5 points. Instead, UC Riverside dominated the second half, outscoring their opponents 40-27 to secure the 10-point win.

Andrew Henderson was the star of the show for UC Riverside, scoring 19 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. He was supported by Ben Waller and BJ Kolly, who each contributed 13 points and a combined 12 rebounds. On the other side, Isaiah Lewis led Long Beach State with 13 points, while Shaquil Bender added 12 points and Petar Majstorovic chipped in with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

At halftime, Long Beach State held a slim 34-31 lead, but UC Riverside came out strong in the second half, fueled by Henderson's impressive performance. The Highlanders' defense also stepped up, limiting the 49ers to just 27 points in the final 20 minutes. As the game unfolded, it became clear that UC Riverside was determined to prove themselves against their higher-ranked opponents.

The upset win is a significant boost to UC Riverside's resume, particularly given that it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams. While the Highlanders still have a long way to go, this victory demonstrates their ability to compete against comparable opponents. For Long Beach State, the loss is a setback, especially considering it was also a Quadrant 4 game. The 49ers had been predicted to win, but instead, they found themselves on the wrong end of a double-digit defeat.

The pre-game prediction from CHD Scout had suggested a nail-biter, with Long Beach State barely edging out UC Riverside 75-75. However, the actual outcome was far more one-sided, with the Highlanders controlling the tempo in the second half. This result serves as a reminder that, even in the lower quadrants, upsets can and do happen, and teams must be prepared to face any opponent.

As the season progresses, UC Riverside want to build on this momentum, using the confidence gained from this upset to propel themselves forward. Meanwhile, Long Beach State must regroup and reassess their strategy, particularly in Quadrant 4 games where they cannot afford to drop winnable contests. The implications of this result will be felt in the tournament chances of both teams, with UC Riverside's resume receiving a much-needed boost and Long Beach State's taking a hit.