RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) - Phil Martin scored six of his 33 points in overtime and added 11 rebounds as UC Riverside outlasted UC Santa Barbara for a 79-70 overtime victory on Thursday night.
Robert Smith had 16 points and Kareem Nitoto 11 for the Highlanders (9-8, 3-1 Big West), who forced the extra period with two free throws after a controversial foul call in the final seconds of regulation.
With the Gauchos (7-6, 2-1) up 63-61 with nine seconds remaining, UC Riverside inbounded the ball when Orlando Johnson was called for a foul while retreating defensively. The UC Santa Barbara bench protested, and the officials conferred at midcourt, overturned the call and ordered another inbounds play by the Highlanders.
However, the officials met again and determined that they could not reverse the call. Smith drained the tying free throws.
Johnson scored 23 points and James Nunnally 16 for the Gauchos. Alan Williams, a freshman, had nine points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots.
