Riverside, CA—A stifling defensive effort from the UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team (5-13, 2-2) gave the Highlanders a 63-50 victory over Cal State Fullerton (7-10, 2-2) on Saturday afternoon. Senior guard Lauren Holt led the way with 22 points (9-19 FG) for her third 20-point game of the season.

KEY RUNS
After trailing 20-11 in the opening period, the Highlanders closed the half on a 21-5 run, taking a 32-25 advantage into the break. Holt finished the first half with team-highs of 13 points (6-10 FG), 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

A couple fourth quarter three-pointers by the Titans would cut a 12-point deficit to just 5 points. From there, senior Michelle Curry—who returned after a first half collision forced her to play limited minutes—would score four straight to spark an 8-0 Highlander run, pushing the lead back up to 55-42.

GAME NOTES
Holt (22 points) scored in double-figures for the 11th straight game, also adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists and tying a season-high with 3 steals.

Michelle Curry nearly finished with her third double-double of the year, tallying 9 points and 8 rebounds despite playing just 17 minutes.

The Highlanders' defense set new opponent conference season-lows in points (50), field goal percentage (.327). The Highlanders also forced the Titans into 22 turnovers, tying a Fullerton season-high.

The Titans scored the first 7 points off turnovers in the first quarter. They wouldn't convert another turnover into points the rest of the way, as UCR went on to a 27-7 advantage in that department.

Sophomore Marina Ewodo (10 points) was the only Highlander other than Holt to finish in double-figures, reaching the 10-point mark for the sixth time in her last nine outings. She also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and tied a career-high with 3 steals.

UCR will remain at home for its next matchup with Hawai'i on Thursday, January 18.