UC Riverside triumphs with Hargress scoring 20 points in Idaho

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, in Moscow, Idaho, the UC Riverside Highlanders faced off against the Idaho Vandals following a strong performance by Barrington Hargress, who had notably scored 20 points in his previous game against the Alcorn State Braves, leading his team to a 69-52 victory. UC Riverside entered the game with a record of 4-3, while Idaho held a record of 2-5, indicating a competitive atmosphere for the matchup. The game was crucial for both teams as they sought momentum going into the remainder of the season. UC Riverside, having dropped three of its road games, hoped to improve its performance away from home, where they had struggled, contrasting with Idaho's solid home game record at 2-1. Key statistics painted an interesting picture for this matchup: Idaho was sixth in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 34.3 points per game in the paint, with Julius Mims leading the charge at 7.3 points per game in that area. Conversely, Hargress had been the standout for the Highlanders, averaging 19.7 points per game along with 1.9 rebounds. The game was expected to be strategically interesting, considering that UC Riverside had a tendency to excel when they could keep turnovers to a minimum, averaging 10.6 per game and showing a 2-1 record under those circumstances. The teams had contrasting styles as well. Idaho was noted for its three-point shooting, averaging 8.9 made shots per game, and aligned with their defensive stats which allowed 7.7 from opponents. This gave UC Riverside a slight edge, as they averaged 9.7 made three-pointers in their games. The performance of Barrington Hargress would be pivotal once again as the Highlanders sought to solidify their standing and gain confidence in their offensive prowess. Overall, the game on the horizon was not just a clash of teams but a battle of contrasting strategies, individual talents, and home versus road performance. It represented an opportunity for both squads to establish themselves and find momentum as they tackled the challenges of the college basketball season. The Highlanders were looking to capitalize on Hargress’s scoring abilities and improve their road performance, while Idaho aimed to maintain their home advantage against a formidable opponent.