UC Riverside runs past UC San Diego 75-52

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) Taylor Johns had 18 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots to lead UC Riverside to a 75-52 season-opening win over UC San Diego on Saturday night.

Jaylen Bland had 17 points, hitting 4-of-6 3-pointers, and Nick Gruninger added 15 points.

The Highlanders went on a 23-4 run to start the second half and ran UC-San Diego out of the game. The Tritons got four quick points early in the period, but did not score again until George Buaku hit a jumper at the 10:16 mark to make the score 52-30.

The Tritons trailed by just five points, 29-24, at the end of the first half. The deluge began after the break with Bland leading the way as he nailed two 3-pointers, had a layup and a dunk.

Treavon Francis led the Tritons with 10 points and Adam Klie added nine.