Riverside, CA—Hosting Long Beach State (2-14, 0-2) Saturday evening, the UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team (4-12, 1-1) led nearly the entire game on the way to its first Big West win of the season, 77-53. Michelle Curry led all scorers with 23 points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.

KEY RUNS
After a tightly contested start, UCR ended the first half on 12-2 run, taking a 33-25 advantage into halftime.

Already leading 59-48 early in the fourth quarter, the Highlanders closed the game on an 18-5 run.

GAME NOTES
Curry's double-double was the seventh of her career. Putting together one of her best all-around performances of the year, she finished with a solid 10-of-17 (.588) mark from the field, also adding 6 assists and a season-high 5 steals.

Earning her fifth consecutive start, sophomore forward Marina Ewodo also filled up the statsheet, putting up 12 points (5-12 FG), 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals. It was the second double-double of her career.

The Highlanders finished with a season-high 15 steals, led by Curry (5), Jannon Otto (4) and Ewodo (3). They forced a season-high 22 turnovers, just two days after forcing Cal Poly to commit 21.

Otto scored 14 points (6-9 FG) and Lauren Holt added 10 (2-5 3FG). Holt has now scored in double-figures in nine consecutive games.

UC Riverside had a +23 rebounding margin on the day, setting a new season-high. The Highlanders also enjoyed a dominant disparity in the assist department, tallying 19 helpers to Long Beach's 4.

Curry now has 1,088 career points, moving her up three spots on the UCR scoring list and into a tie with Ronéy Friend (1,088 points, 2005-09) at No. 13 all-time. She also surpassed Tawanna Terry (1,073 points, 1993-96) and Becky Geeson (1,081 points, 1987-91).

The Highlanders will head on the road to face UC Davis this Thursday in their Big West road opener.