Anaheim, CA -- (Sports Network) - Larry Cunningham tallied a game-best 23 points, as the seventh-seeded UC Riverside Highlander downed the sixth-seeded Cal Poly Mustangs, 62-54, in the first round of the Big West Conference Tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

Cunningham grabbed six boards and recorded two steals for the Highlanders (9-20), who move on to face third-seeded Cal State Fullerton in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Aaron Scott turned in 11 points and eight boards, and Cleavon Barlow ripped down a game-high 14 caroms.

Titus Shelton notched 13 points and eight rebounds to lead Cal Poly (12-18) in the loss. Lorenzo Keeler also scored 13 points, while Shawn Lewis had 10 points and five boards in the losing effort.

The Mustangs shot a horrific 18.2 percent from the field in the opening frame, but they trailed just 20-17 at the intermission.

In the second stanza, UC Riverside converted on 20-of-29 free-throw attempts for the eight-point win.

The Highlanders won the battle on the boards, 44-37, and held a 21-18 edge in free-throw points.