UC Riverside Highlanders Defeat Cal State Northridge Matadors
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · SRC Arena
UC Riverside Highlanders 95, Cal State Northridge Matadors 84, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC Riverside Highlanders?
UC Riverside Highlanders beat Cal State Northridge Matadors 95-84 at SRC Arena on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC Riverside Highlanders?
Cal State Northridge Matadors were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -218 (about 69% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the UC Riverside Highlanders triumphed over the Cal State Northridge Matadors with a final score of 95 to 84. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Highlanders, who have struggled throughout the season with a home record of 10-21, while the Matadors entered the game with a stronger away record of 18-12.
The Highlanders' recent form has been challenging, as they had a record of 2-8 in their last ten games prior to this victory. They were on a two-game losing streak, having lost to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and the UC Davis Aggies. In those matches, they averaged 72.9 points scored while allowing 75.6 points per game. Their performance at home had seen them win only two of their last five games, and they had not won any of their last five away games.
In contrast, the Matadors had been performing relatively well, boasting a record of 7-3 in their last ten games before facing the Highlanders. They had a brief losing streak of one game, having lost to the UC Irvine Anteaters. Throughout their recent matches, they averaged 82.2 points scored and allowed 77.5 points, with a strong away record of 3-1 in their last four away games.
The Highlanders and Matadors had previously met three times in recent seasons, with the Highlanders holding a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head record. In their most recent encounter on February 7, 2026, the Matadors defeated the Highlanders 88-74. However, the Highlanders turned the tables in this latest meeting, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the Highlanders' performance may have been influenced by their overall struggles throughout the season. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Matadors favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. The odds for the Highlanders to win straight up were listed at 180.0, while the Matadors were at -218.0.
The game took place at the SRC Arena under typical conditions for a basketball matchup. Fans witnessed a high-scoring affair, with both teams demonstrating their offensive prowess. The Highlanders' Andrew Henderson made significant contributions, including a 23-foot three-point jumper and multiple free throws in the closing moments of the game, helping to secure the victory.
As the game progressed, the Highlanders maintained their lead, with Henderson's consistent scoring and Josiah Davis's contributions, including several layups and free throws, proving crucial. The Matadors fought hard to close the gap, with Joshua O'Garro hitting a notable three-pointer, but ultimately fell short.
This game not only highlights the Highlanders' ability to overcome adversity but also serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of college basketball, where any team can rise to the occasion on game day.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CSUN -4.5 | 158.5 o -105 / u -115 | Cal State Northridge Matadors -218 · UC Riverside Highlanders +180 |
Leaders
- PointsMarqui Worthy Jr.38UC Riverside Highlanders
- AssistsMarqui Worthy Jr.5UC Riverside Highlanders
- ReboundsOsiris Grady10UC Riverside Highlanders
- PointsJosiah Davis38Cal State Northridge Matadors
- AssistsJosiah Davis8Cal State Northridge Matadors
- ReboundsMahmoud Fofana10Cal State Northridge Matadors
Recent form
UC Riverside Highlanders
Last 10: 2-8Streak L272.9 scored · 75.6 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L59-70at UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 27
- L73-78vs UC Davis AggiesFeb 21
- W93-65vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersFeb 20
- L66-72at UC San Diego TritonsFeb 15
- L68-76vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 13
- L74-88at Cal State Northridge MatadorsFeb 7
- L72-78at Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 6
- L87-94vs Cal Poly MustangsFeb 1
- W71-61vs Long Beach State BeachJan 30
- L66-74at UC Davis AggiesJan 24
Cal State Northridge Matadors
Last 10: 7-3Streak L182.2 scored · 77.5 allowed per game3-1 away
- L67-68vs UC Irvine AnteatersFeb 27
- W78-76at Long Beach State BeachFeb 22
- W85-83at UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 20
- W84-60vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 15
- W88-74vs UC Riverside HighlandersFeb 7
- W97-96at Cal Poly MustangsFeb 6
- W81-64vs UC San Diego TritonsFeb 1
- W94-78vs UC Davis AggiesJan 30
- L68-89at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 25
- L80-87vs Long Beach State BeachJan 18
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | Cal State Northridge Matadors | UC Riverside Highlanders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 32-73 | 33-75 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 3-16 | 9-35 |
| Three-point % | 19 | 26 |
| Free throws | 17-23 | 20-25 |
| Free throw % | 74 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 30 | 29 |
| Assists | 14 | 19 |
| Steals | 1 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 5 | 18 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 58 | 42 |
| Fouls | 16 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 29 | 65 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half49-59Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-60Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-62Andrew Henderson makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half51-62Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Jordan Brinson assists)
- 2nd Half51-64Ben Waller makes layup (De'Undrae Perteete Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half53-64Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half55-64Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half55-65Ben Waller makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-68Andrew Henderson makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half56-68Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-69Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-70Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-70Jai Chisolm makes layup (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half58-72Marqui Worthy Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half60-72Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half60-73Osiris Grady makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-73Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half62-75Marqui Worthy Jr. makes layup (Andrew Henderson assists)
- 2nd Half64-75Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half64-77Marqui Worthy Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half64-78Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half64-80Osiris Grady makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-80Josiah Davis makes layup (Joshua O'Garro assists)
- 2nd Half68-80Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half70-80Joshua O'Garro makes layup (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half70-83Ben Waller makes 27-foot three point jumper (Andrew Henderson assists)
- 2nd Half72-83Larry Hughes II makes layup (Joshua O'Garro assists)
- 2nd Half72-86Ben Waller makes 25-foot three point jumper (Marqui Worthy Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half74-86Joshua O'Garro makes layup
- 2nd Half74-87Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-88Marqui Worthy Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-88Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half76-91Andrew Henderson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Osiris Grady assists)
- 2nd Half79-91Joshua O'Garro makes 25-foot three point jumper (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half79-92Andrew Henderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-93Andrew Henderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-95Andrew Henderson makes layup
- 2nd Half81-95Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half82-95Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half84-95Josiah Davis makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours UC Riverside Highlanders, below favours Cal State Northridge Matadors.
Venue
- SRC ArenaRiverside, CA
- Attendance346
- OfficialsToby Doolittle, Chance Wallesen, Akin Moss
Elsewhere
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- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond