Courtesy of UC Riverside Athletic Media Relations

UC Riverside Director of Athletics Stan Morrison announced today that the University has extended the contract of Head Men's Basketball Coach Jim Wooldridge by one year through the 2013-14 season.

"This extension is a demonstration of our sincere appreciation to Jim Wooldridge for the commitment he has shown to our men's basketball program, this institution and our community during his time here at UC Riverside," said Morrison.

"He and his staff have recruited effectively and established a culture of basketball that is based on hard-nosed defense, pushing the ball up the court rapidly and a total commitment to the team by each player, all of which has allowed UCR to move into the upper echelon of the Big West Conference."

The announcement comes on the heels of the Highlanders 19-point come-from-behind win over San Diego that ran the team's current winning streak to five games.

"I’m thankful for the confidence that the administration has shown in our program by extending the term of my contract," said Wooldridge. "It speaks to the direction our program is headed, and shows a commitment to our current group of student-athletes as well as those young men who will become the face of Highlanders basketball in the future. I'm confident that we can keep this program moving forward and continue to be a source of pride for UCR and the Riverside community in the coming years."

Last season, UCR broke nearly every conceivable Division I-era record including wins (17), home wins (11), road wins (6), conference wins (8) and finish in conference play (tied for fourth). It was the Highlanders first winning season since the 1999-2000 campaign.