RIVERSIDE (AP) -- Severin Gates scored 18 points and hit a running shot with 4.4 seconds left to lift UC Riverside to a 56-55 win over Idaho on Saturday.

Gates' bucket capped an 8-2 run and gave the Highlanders (1-4) their first win of the season. The Vandals (1-3) lost their third straight after a season-opening win.

After trailing by 10 points midway through the second half, UC Riverside tied the game at 54 on a Gates jumper from the corner with 2:01 left. Trevor Morris hit one of two free throws with 31 seconds left to put the Vandals back in front, setting up Gates' game-winner.

Idaho got 10 points apiece from Jordan Brooks and Darin Nagle, and Michael Crowell added nine.

Sean Cunningham scored 11 for the Highlanders.

Riverside led by 10 after Cunningham hit an 8-foot jumper with 13:20 left in the first half, but the Vandals later went on an 11-2 run and tied the game on Mike Kale's jumper with 5:47 left.

Crowell had a pair of 3-pointers in the comeback as Idaho took a 35-27 lead into halftime.