Riverside, CA—Facing Cal Poly (7-6, 1-0) in Thursday night's Big West opener, the UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team (3-11, 0-1) was defeated 87-82 in overtime. Four Highlanders finished the game in double-figures, led by senior guard Michelle Curry's 19 points.

KEY RUNS
Leading 49-46 in the third quarter, the Highlanders embarked on an 11-1 run capped off by a Lauren Holt triple to make it 60-47, their largest lead of game.

Immediately after that, a 24-10 run by the Mustangs gave them their first lead of the second half, 71-70. Cal Poly would eventually close the overtime period on a 6-0 run.

GAME NOTES
The Highlanders played down the stretch without Michelle Curry, who fouled out in the opening minute of the fourth quarter with her team leading 62-52. Curry had her most efficient shooting night of the season, going 6-of-8 (.750) from the floor and 6-of-7 (.857) at the free throw line. She also added 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

UC Riverside forced a season-high 21 turnovers, including 9 in the first quarter alone. It was the most forced turnovers in UCR's last 26 contests dating back to last season.

After a quiet first 20 minutes, Lauren Holt exploded for 14 points in the second half, knocking down all three of her three-point attempts. She finished the day with 17 points and 5 rebounds, playing a season-high 43 minutes.

Sophomores Marina Ewodo (14 points) and Jannon Otto (13 points) rounded out the Highlanders' double-digit scorers. Otto (5 assists) and freshman Tianna Eaton (4 assists) recorded new career-highs in assists.

Sophomore Jalyn Clay ended the game with career-highs of 9 points and 7 rebounds. With under 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, Clay converted a three-point play to give the Highlanders a 77-74 advantage. Cal Poly's Dynn Leaupepe (40 points) would answer with a three-pointer to tie the game with under 10 seconds remaining.

Both teams had nearly identical numbers from the foul line, with UCR going 24-for-32 (.750), compared to 24-for-33 (.727) for Cal Poly. The Highlanders had 11 made free throws by the half, more than they had in their previous two games combined (9).

This was the first overtime game of the season for UC Riverside.

The Highlanders will close out the opening weekend of conference play when they host Long Beach State this Saturday at 5:00 pm PT.