RIVERSIDE, Calif.  – The University of Hawaii men's basketball team fell victim to a hot-shooting UC Riverside squad in a 75-71 road loss Saturday at the SRC Arena. The Rainbow Warriors fell to 11-6 overall and 2-1 in the Big West while seeing its season-long five game win streak come to a close.
 
UC Riverside (7-13, 1-3 Big West) entered the game as the league's most prolific three-point shooting team and was even better than advertised. The Highlanders drilled 13-of-25 of their three-point attempts, the most by a UH opponent this year. Dragan Elzak scored a game-high 25 points and went a blazing 7-of-10 from behind the arc in leading the three-point barrage.
 
UH shot 56 percent from the field, out-rebounded the Highlanders, registered 25 assists to nine turnovers, and got a season-high 24 points from senior Jack Purchase, but it was simply not enough against a hungry UCR squad that improved to 6-2 at home this year.
 
For the second straight road game UH got off to a fast start. After Samuta Avea drilled a three-pointer, the 'Bows built a double-digit lead, 26-15, midway through the first half. But UH soon after went on a scoreless drought of more than four minutes. UCR ended the half on a 16-5 run to take a slim 36-34 lead into the locker room.
 
UH stayed within striking distance during a close second half, but UCR fended off the 'Bows at every opportunity. When Elkaz nailed the Highlanders 13th and final three-pointer of the night and drained a free throw to complete a four-point play, the Highlanders enjoyed a seven-point lead with under four minutes left. UH cut the deficit to 70-68 with 2:10 left on a Purchase  jumper, but that would be as close as it would get.
 
Purchase finished 10-of-15 from the floor and with four three-pointers moved into third all-time at UH in three-pointers made (163). Sheriff Drammeh added 17 points, while Drew Buggs finished with nine points, nine assists, 6 rebounds and zero turnovers.
 
The Rainbow Warriors now head back to the island for four straight home games, beginning with a  showdown versus conference heavyweight UC Irvine on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center .