University of California, Riverside
Arizona
Women's Basketball Loses Close 53-48 Game to Arizona
12/17/2008 4:16:22 PM | Women's Basketball
Kemie Nkele scores a game-high 27 points
(Tucson, AZ) - The UC Riverside women's basketball team (3-6) closed out the second game of their Arizona roadtrip with a 53-48 loss to Pac-10 opponent University of Arizona on Wednesday evening at the McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Kemie Nkele (San Diego, CA) scored a game-high 27 points to lead all scorers.
The Wildcats (6-4) jumped out of the gate strong opening up an early 8-0 lead to start the game, but two consecutive three pointers by Nkele and Ronéy Friend (Los Angeles, CA) at around the 14 minute mark closed the gap. The Highlanders, though, would play catch-up the entire game as they went into the locker rooms trailing 23-18.
In the second half UCR got within one, 25-24, off another Nkele three-pointer with just over three minutes gone by. Arizona then opened up a nine point lead, 33-24, with 11 minutes to go. The Highlanders battled back down the stretch and got within two points on several different occasions before the Wildcats closed out the game.
Nkele was just shy of a double-double as her 27 points and nine rebounds paced the Highlanders. Friend added seven points while Tainoisouti Lott (Moreno Valley, CA) had six points and five boards.
The Highlanders are back in action on Sunday, Dec 21 as they travel to the University of Nevada Reno for a 2:00 pm tipoff.
