On Thursday Feb. 19, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball team hosted California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). This was UCR’s “Blue Out” home game which created a strong fan environment where the Highlanders defeated Bakersfield 93-65.
UCR and CSUB played earlier this season in January and that game came down to the final seconds. Tyler Jones missed a game-winning 3-point shot, and the Roadrunners won 67-66. UCR was looking for their getback against Bakersfield this time around.
Early in the first half, guard De’Undrae Perteete Jr. sprinted down the court and blocked Bakersfield’s almost seven foot tall center Pierre Geneste Jr. from making a lay-up, setting the tone for the entire game.
When asked about this play after the game, Perteete Jr. said it was a very big momentum play and at the moment all he thought about was stopping Geneste Jr. from scoring saying he had to “go up and take it away.” That is exactly what he did, he stopped the ball and the UCR crowd went crazy.
The highest scoring player of the game was guard Andrew Henderson. He had a more than an impressive night, leading the game with 26 points, shooting 4/8 on 3-pointers and adding five steals on the defensive end. He played the majority of the game ensuring that UCR maintained their lead over CSUB. When asked how he was able to keep his momentum up the entire game and make shots he said he relied on his teammates’ support and judgment saying “They find me open shots, and I just did my job and knocked them down.”
Guard Marqui Worthy also put on a great performance as the second leading scorer of the game, ending with 17 points and four assists. Despite the challenges the team has faced this season, they are still committed to ending the season on a high note. As Worthy explained on behalf of the team “we owe it to not just to ourselves but to each other to just finish the year off strong.”
The home court advantage definitely affected the team’s performance. The electric fan energy that comes with having a “blue out” fan-based game strongly motivated the team. As Henderson said after the game, “It’s good to have a crowd cheering us on because it also motivates the team to keep going and play harder.”
Every shot and every high intensity play gained a loud reaction from the crowd of fans adding to the excitement . Henderson followed up by saying “I encourage more fans to keep coming out and enjoy the rest of the season.” It’s clear how the players value the fans especially in games like this.
The Highlanders returned to their home court on Saturday to host UC Davis in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, but fell short, 78-73. UCR men’s basketball will more than likely miss the Big West playoffs in head coach Gus Argenal’s first year as head coach.
