Man, college hoops can be brutal. If you just glance at a UC Riverside basketball score from this week, you might think you're looking at a team just spinning its wheels. But honestly? That doesn't even come close to telling the whole story. On Thursday night, January 15, 2026, the Highlanders went into the Walter Pyramid and ended up on the wrong side of an 88-73 finish against Long Beach State. It was their sixth loss in a row. Six. That’s a heavy number for any locker room to carry, especially when they’re sitting at 6-12 overall and 1-5 in the Big West.
But you've gotta look at how these games are actually playing out. This isn't a team getting blown off the floor every night. Just last week, they took Cal State Bakersfield to the absolute brink, losing 67-66. Then they turned around and battled UC San Diego—one of the top teams in the conference—and lost by three. 69-66. It's those "almost" games that keep coaches like Gus Argenal up at night. Argenal is in his first year here, taking over after Mike Magpayo headed to Fordham, and he’s basically trying to rebuild the engine while the car is moving at 80 miles per hour.
Breaking Down the Recent UC Riverside Basketball Score
The Long Beach game was a weird one. For the first ten minutes, Riverside looked like they might actually pull off the upset. They were trading buckets, the energy was high, and it was tied at 19-19 with about nine minutes left in the first half. Then, everything just... snapped. Long Beach State went on an absolute tear, hitting nine shots in a row. Before Riverside could even blink, a tie game turned into a 14-point deficit.
That’s been the Achilles' heel for this squad lately: the "big run." They’ll play twenty minutes of elite basketball and then have a five-minute stretch where the rim feels like it has a lid on it. Against the Beach, Marqui Worthy Jr. was the bright spot, dropping 23 points. He’s been a bit of a revelation lately. But when the other team shoots nearly 57% from the field and over 57% from three-point land—like Long Beach did—you’re basically trying to put out a forest fire with a water pistol.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
The Problem With the Big West Standings
The Big West is kinda chaotic this year. UC Irvine is sitting pretty at the top, but everyone else is just cannibalizing each other. Riverside was picked to finish 9th in the preseason poll, so in some ways, they’re right where the "experts" expected. But players like Andrew Henderson don't care about polls. Henderson put up 27 against UC San Diego. He’s a graduate transfer who plays with the kind of desperation you only see from guys in their final year of eligibility.
When you look at the UC Riverside basketball score history this month, you see a team that is desperate for a "get right" game. They’ve played Hawaii, Bakersfield, UCSD, and Long Beach—all tough outs. The defense, which was the hallmark of the program for the last few years, has been leakier than usual. They're giving up about 75 points a game while only scoring 71. In the world of college basketball analytics, that’s a recipe for a lot of close, heartbreaking losses.
Who is Stepping Up for the Highlanders?
It’s not all doom and gloom in the Inland Empire. Even with a 1-5 conference record, there are pieces here that make you think a February run isn't impossible.
🔗 Read more: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
- Marqui Worthy Jr.: He's become the primary scoring threat. He's a 6'4" junior who transferred in from UMass, and he finally looks comfortable in the system.
- Andrew Henderson: As a grad student, he’s the "old man" on the floor. His 27-point performance against UCSD showed he can carry the team when the offense stalls.
- BJ Kolly: He’s a 6'10" monster in the middle. Riverside hasn't always had that kind of height, and while he’s still adjusting to the Big West speed, his rim protection is vital.
Honestly, the chemistry is still a work in progress. You’ve got transfers from all over—Montana State, Utah Valley, even Northwestern. It takes time for that to gel. Argenal is trying to blend Magpayo’s old "low-possession, high-efficiency" style with a bit more modern pace. Sometimes it works beautifully. Sometimes it looks like five guys who just met at a park.
What Happens Next?
Riverside is back home at the SRC Arena tonight, Saturday, January 17, to face Cal State Fullerton. If you're looking for a turning point, this has to be it. Fullerton is also struggling near the bottom of the standings. This is the "must-win" of all must-wins. If they can snag a victory here, they head into the UC Irvine game with at least a little bit of wind in their sails.
One thing people get wrong about UCR is thinking they're a "small" team. They aren't. With Daniel Tobiloba at 7'0" and Kolly at 6'10", they have the size to compete with anyone in the West Coast. The issue has been turnovers and defensive rotations. They’re giving up too many open threes. If they can tighten up the perimeter defense, those 3-point losses start turning into 3-point wins.
💡 You might also like: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the UC Riverside basketball score for betting or just because you’re a die-hard Highlander fan, here’s what you need to keep an eye on over the next few weeks:
- Watch the First 5 Minutes of the Second Half: This is usually where UCR wins or loses. If they come out flat after halftime, they rarely recover.
- Free Throw Percentage: In their close losses to Bakersfield and UCSD, missed free throws were killers. They’re currently hovering around 79% as a team, which is actually good, but they need to get to the line more often to slow down the game.
- The "Worthy" Factor: If Marqui Worthy Jr. gets 15+ shots, Riverside stays in the game. When he’s passive, the offense becomes too predictable.
Stop looking at the 6-12 record as a sign of a bad team. Look at it as a sign of a young, new-look team that hasn't learned how to close yet. The talent is there. The size is definitely there. Now, they just need to find a way to put 40 minutes together instead of 30.
Next Steps for You:
Check the live stats for tonight's game against Cal State Fullerton starting at 5:00 PM PST. Watch how many points Riverside gets in the paint—if Kolly and Henderson are aggressive early, it usually leads to a much better final score. You can catch the broadcast on ESPN+ if you aren't heading down to the SRC Arena in person.