RIVERSIDE – Like so many across the nation, UC Riverside’s men’s and women’s basketball teams had their holiday week plans effected by COVID-19 protocols.
The men’s team had its two most recent games at SRC Arena – Dec. 19 against Sacramento State and Dec. 22 against Idaho – canceled “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a university release.
“Game cancellations for men’s and women’s basketball programs around the country due to the COVID-19 protocols are unfortunately part of our current normal,” new UC Riverside athletic director Wes Mallette said. “Like so many other schools, we have to experience cancellations as well.”
The women’s team temporarily paused all activities and canceled its Tuesday, Dec. 28 and Thursday, Dec. 30 home games at SRC Arena.
“We are working diligently to mitigate further cancellations (and) we are in constant communication with our conference peers with respect to how COVID-19 is impacting them and our collective Big West Conference schedule,” Mallette said.
The men’s team also had its road games at UC Davis on Tuesday, Dec. 28 and at Hawaii on Saturday, Jan. 1 postponed pending rescheduling.
The Highlanders will likely see more changes to their respective schedules as the spike in COVID-19 cases threatens to derail collegiate sports across the nation.
SRC Arena will host games without fans through at least Jan. 17, a decision made in accordance with the university’s announcement about gatherings on campus following the return to campus for winter quarter.
“The atmosphere in the SRC in November and December was electric and the energy level was fantastic,” Mallette said. “Our fans have been outstanding and we look forward to hosting fans in the building as soon as we can.”
All games will continue to be streamed on ESPN+.
CBU’s THOMAS AWARDED
Cal Baptist University women’s basketball player Britney Thomas grabbed her seventh career Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week award after posting a season-high 29 points and 13 rebounds in CBU’s 66-64 overtime victory over Cal Poly SLO on Dec. 21.
Thomas, a fifth-year senior transfer from Mt. San Jacinto College, was an All-WAC First Team selection last season. Her second double-double of this season helped the Lancers close out nonconference play with a conference-best 9-2 record.
CBU, ranked No. 4 by collegeinsider.com’s Women’s Mid-Major Top 25, opens conference play at Seattle University on Sunday, Jan. 2.
COYOTES HOWLING
The Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball team is off to its best start in eight seasons.
Led by junior guard Brandon Knapper’s 24.2 points per game, the Coyotes are 10-1 overall and ranked No. 6 in the NABC Division II coaches’ poll.
Their most recent win, 92-80 over Cal State East Bay, improved the team to 4-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. CSUSB returns to play Sunday, Jan. 2 at Cal Poly Pomona.
CONNORS TO RICE
Dean Connors will transfer to Rice University following one season on the Riverside City College football team.
The Murrieta Valley High grad quickly emerged as a reliable option out of the backfield for RCC (10-3 overall), leading the team with seven rushing touchdowns.
Connors (6-foot, 205 pounds) had 107 carries for 516 yards for the Tigers, who won their second consecutive Southern California Football Association championship.
Dennis Pope writes about local sports for The Press-Enterprise. Follow him @DennisPope on Twitter.
