RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In a thrilling contest that went to overtime, UC Riverside edged out St. Thomas-Minnesota with a final score of 81-79 on Sunday, thanks to a clutch performance by Barrington Hargress, who tallied 24 points.

Nate Pickens provided the decisive moment, sinking two free throws with just milliseconds on the clock. This crucial play followed a sequence in which Nolan Minessale secured a free throw to equalize the game at 79 during a timeout with only 13 seconds remaining. Earlier in the game, Isaiah Moses had also made two essential free throws for UC Riverside, allowing the teams to enter overtime with a tie at 73 points.

In addition to Hargress’s notable scoring, he also recorded 10 successful field goals out of 20 attempts, including four out of ten from three-point range. The Highlanders improved their season record to 9-5 overall and are currently 2-0 within the Big West Conference. Kaleb Smith contributed solidly to the team’s efforts with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Pickens added another 10 points to the scoreboard.

For the Tommies, who had their impressive six-game winning streak come to an end, Minessale stood out with a remarkable 27 points. Drake Dobbs made an impact as well, contributing 19 points, alongside Miles Barnstable, who added 10 points to the team’s total. The loss left St. Thomas-Minnesota with a 10-5 record for the season.