CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Chris Patton scored 21 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds, as the Australian native helped power UC Riverside over Southern Utah 74-59 Saturday night.

UC Riverside (2-2) had help from Steven Thornton with 20 points and Taylor Johns with a 10-point effort off the bench. The Highlanders -- after starting out cold -- charged back in the second half up by as many 21 points.

The game was closely played throughout the first half, as neither team took a double-digit lead. UC Riverside slowly took charge off a 20-7 run late in the first half to go into the break leading 36-33.

Southern Utah (1-3) shot only 17-of-44 from the field and finished a dreary 3-of-13 from long-range.

Trey Kennedy finished with 15 points and Chris Nsenki with 10.

UC Riverside holds a 7-2 all-time series record.