Riverside, CA—The UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team (3-11) battled back from a 23-point deficit as it closed its non-conference slate Saturday night against UTEP (9-4), but fell just short in a 73-62 defeat. Senior guard Michelle Curry led the Highlanders with 21 points and 9 rebounds, moving into No. 16 on the UCR all-time scoring list.

KEY RUNS
The Miners opened the game with a 12-2 lead, extending their advantage to as many as 23 points in both the second and third quarters.

Trailing 56-33 midway through the third, the Highlanders turned up the pressure with a spirited full court press, going on an 11-0 to make it 56-44. After forcing just three turnovers in the first half, the Highlanders forced 11 in the second half.

UCR did well to maintain the pressure the rest of the way, going on a 12-0 run late in the game to cut the deficit to 67-62 with 2:06 remaining. However, the Miners would close the final two minutes out on a 6-0 run.

GAME NOTES
Michelle Curry had 15 points by halftime, finishing the day 8-for-17 (.471) from the field. She moves past Liz Lattimer (1981-85) for No. 16 on the UCR all-time scoring list (1,046 points).

Guards Lauren Holt (4-9 FG) and Jannon Otto (5-7 FG) added 10 points apiece. Holt has now scored in double-figures in seven straight games. However, she finished 0-of-4 from three-point range, ending her career-best three-point streak at 10 games.

Forward Skyler Lewis ended the day with 7 points (3-6 FG), setting career-highs in both assists (5) and blocks (5). She has now recorded multiple assists in nine straight games.

Freshman guard Keilanei Cooper was one of the main catalysts in the Highlanders' second half surge, coming off the bench to tally 4 points, 2 steals and 3 rebounds in 18 minutes.

The Highlanders cleaned things up in the free throw game, making more free throws than their opponent for the second time this season (8 to 7). However, UCR failed to make a three-pointer, going 0-for-16 from deep, compared to 8-for-20 (.400) from UTEP.

UC Riverside will remain home for two more games to open the new year as it hosts Cal Poly on Thursday, January 4 and Long Beach State on Saturday, January 6.