Northridge—Senior Brittany Crain became UCR's all-time leading scorer with 21 points in an, 84-62, victory over CSUN.

The Highlanders (20-7, 13-0) came into the game leading the conference in scoring, but tonight the defense was the story as they forced the Matadors (6-21, 4-9) into 26 turnovers.

A 24-10 third quarter broke the game wide open and allowed the Highlanders to rest Crain for most of the fourth period.

At the half UCR led 48-37. Crain had 16 points, while Simone DeCoud and Rejane Verin had 12 apiece. Tessa Boagni had eight to lead the Matadors at the break.

Early in the third quarter, the Highlanders went on a 14-4 run to create a 22 point margin at 63-41. In the run Michelle Curry scored 7 of her 16 points, including a three pointer to lead things off—her second of the season.

The Matadors committed eight third period turnovers, which UCR turned into 12 points, they shot just 4-11 (36.4 percent) from the field.

Crain made school history at the 8:25 mark in the fourth quarter, when she caught a pass from in the left corner from high school teammate Akilah Martin and buried a three that hit nothing but nylon. (watch)

Shortly afterwards, with the game in hand Crain was subbed out of the game and spent the final six and a half minutes of the game on the bench.

The Matadors would outscore the Highlanders, 15-12, in the fourth, however UCR would go on to win, 84-62, to go to 13-0 in conference and give themselves a chance to cut down the nets with a win Saturday at home against Hawai'i.

In the win the Highlanders picked up a season-high 22 steals, had 25 assists compared to a season low five turnovers, and shot 12 for 14 from the charity stripe.

Verin had a career-high seven steals to pace the UCR defense to go along with her 20 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Curry had 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals, while DeCoud added 14 points and seven assists.

Channon Fluker had a double double for Matadors with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Crain's game-high 21 points put her at 2,193 for her career, surpassing Donna Hammond Mares' previous career mark of 2,192.
 
The Highlanders face the Rainbow Wahine at 7 pm Saturday.