UC Riverside Outlasts Cal State Fullerton 72-69

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) -- Sam Finley scored 13 points while Chris Patton added 12 with 12 rebounds and six assists as UC Riverside edged Cal State Fullerton 72-69 Thursday night.

UC Riverside (8-14, 3-5 Big West) shot 51.8 percent from the field and had a 38-27 rebounding advantage. Taylor Johns scored 13 points, while Steven Thornton and Steven Jones each chipped in 12.

The Titans (7-14, 2-5) were paced by Michael Williams and Alex Harris with 20 points apiece.

The Highlanders jumped out to a 19-6 lead and coasted towards a 14-point halftime advantage. Cal State Fullerton crawled back to tie the score at 68 with a three-point play by Williams, but Finley responded by hitting a layup with 36 seconds left.

Harris was fouled on the ensuing possession, but split the free throws. After two Austin Quick free throws, Williams couldn't connect on a 3-pointer in the final seconds.