Riverside—The UC Riverside Women's Basketball team overcame a first half deficit and foul trouble in the second half to defeat Hawai'i, 81-77, and earn the second Big West regular season title in the program's history.

Senior Brittany Crain led the scoring attack with her second straight 21 point game and turned in a solid defensive effort in picking up four steals. Rejane Verin recorded her fifth double in the last six games with 19 points, 11 rebounds, while leading the team with five assists.

The second meeting between the top two teams in the conference began similar to the first one in January, with Hawai'i (17-10, 10-4) getting out to an early lead to begin the game and UCR (21-7, 14-0) trailing the entire first half.

At the intermission, the Highlanders trailed by seven points, 42-35—their largest halftime deficit in Big West play this season.Simone DeCoud had 13 points after two quarters to lead the Highlanders and was matched by Destiny King's 13 for the Rainbow Wahine.

UCR clamped down defensively in the third period and took the lead, 52-50, when Verin hit a jumper to cap a, 9-0, run midway through the period. They would carry a one point advantage into the fourth, 59-58.

With the score tied 67 apiece in the fourth, Hawai'i scored four straight points, before Verin answered with a score and DeCoud followed with a three from the top of the key to give UCR a, 72-71, lead. Verin would score another bucket to make it a three point game, and it would remain that way until there were 10 seconds left to play. 

Coming out of a timeout, Hawai'i missed a three point attempt, grabbed the rebound and scored to make it, 78-77, UCR. Then with four seconds left, they stole the inbounds pass, but missed from close range. DeCoud corralled the loose ball and was fouled. She sank her two free throws to put the game on ice and the celebration into motion as the Highlanders held on to win, 81-77 and claim the 2015-16 Big West regular season championship.
 
DeCoud would finish with 18 points and Michelle Curry chipped in 16 points before fouling with just six minutes to play. King led four Hawai'i players in double figures with 17 points, followed by Kalei Adolpho with 14, while Briana Harris and Megan Huff had 13 each.

The Highlanders will play at UC Irvine on Thursday, March 3 at 5:30 pm, before hosting Cal State Fullerton on senior night Saturday, March 5th in 5 pm tip.