Bobcat Cagers Fall to Riverside

Saturday, November 16

Riverside, CA

4:15 pm

Montana State University

1-3

at UC RIVERSIDE

2-3

Montana State

Central Michigan

Paul Egwuonwu

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

11/16/2013 10:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Egwuonwu leads a balanced Bobcat offense

By: MSU Sports Information

Taylor Johns scored a game-high 31 points and keyed a 9-0 spurt late in the game to help boost UC Riverside to a 72-67 win over Montana State in California on Saturday.

The Highlanders led by three after a Terrell Brown three-pointer with 6:06 to play when Nick Gruninger answered with a three. For the next two minutes, Johns put on a show. He hit a jumper to give UCR an eight-point lead, made the free throw on a conventional three-point play, then dunked to restored Riverside's double-digit lead. He added another free throw moments later.

The Bobcats continued to battle, trimming the lead to four points on several occasions, but the Highlanders converted enough free throws to seal the win. While the teams played to a draw in most statistical categories, the Bobcats were whistled for 24 fouls to UCR's 14, with the Highlanders finishing 25-for-34 from the line. Montana State made eight of its 10 charity tosses.

Paul Egwuonwu led the Bobcats with 13 points and five boards, adding a block and a steal. Flavien Davis scored 12 points, while Calen Coleman added 10. MSU visits Central Michigan for a three-game tournament beginning next Friday.