San Diego—Rejane Verin, Annelise Ito and Brittany Crain led the Highlanders scoring attack Monday night as the UC Riverside Women's Basketball team (2-0) was victorious in their 2015-16 road opener, 85-68, over San Diego State (0-2).

Verin had 22 points on 9-13 shooting to lead UCR, Ito scored 18, and Crain contributed 16.

The Highlanders jumped out to a 13-7 lead early in the first quarter behind a trio of players (Crain, Ito and Verin) that outscored San Diego State in the opening frame. After one quarter played, UCR led 25-13, aided by Ito's 9 points, Crain's 7 and Rjaien Verin's 6.

The Aztecs were forced into 6 turnovers in the first period, and shot 28% from the floor. UCR shot 66% (10-15) from the field.  

In the second quarter, UCR went on a 10-0 run, holding SDSU scoreless for the first five minutes of the period. The Highlanders pushed their lead to as much as 21, but full-court pressure from SDSU and attacking off the dribble offensively helped to keep the game from getting out of reach 46-27 at the break.

San Diego State shot 17% from the floor, but 15-16 from the line in the first half to keep the margin to within 20.

Ito each had 15 points and 5 rebounds at the half, and Verin helped out with 8 points.

San Diego State's McKynzie Fort shot 1-7 in the first half, but led the Aztecs with ten points at the break after making all eight of her free throw attempts in the first 20 minutes of play.

With 3:00 remaining in the third quarter leading 59-41, the Highlanders made an 8-0 run to push the margin to 26. UCR got 16 points from Crain, Ito and Verin in the third to match Aztec total, and enter the final period leading 69-43.
                                                                   
In the fourth quarter UCR pushed the lead to as much 28, but San Diego State climbed back in the game to cut the lead in half at 79-55. The Highlanders would hang on for the 85-68 win.

Fort led the Aztecs offensive efforts with a game-high 25 points, and Riverside native Cheyen Greenhouse had 14 points in the loss.

The Highlanders remain on the road this week with games at Cal, Friday at 11:30 am, and Sunday, at Oregon State at 2pm.