Women's Basketball Topples Lumberjacks 81-63 For First Season Win

Sunday, November 15

Student Recreation Center

2:00 PM

UC Riverside

Northern Arizona

Women's Basketball Topples Lumberjacks 81-63 For First Season Win

11/15/2009 1:15:16 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score - UC Riverside 81, Northern Arizona 63

Riverside, CA - Behind junior Alyssa Morris' career-high 23 points, the UC Riverside women's basketball team earned their first victory of the 2009-10 season with an 81-63 defeat of Northern Arizona on Sunday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center.

The Highlanders 81 points is the most scored by a UCR squad since Jan. 2, 2008 versus Pacific, and their 1-1 start to the season is the best since the 2005-06 year.

Four Highlanders (1-1) scored in double figures led by Morris' 23, Tre'Shonti Nottingham's (pictured) career-high 15, and identical 10 points from Amber Cox and Rheya Neabors. Marissa Rivera led UCR with eight rebounds while Cox and Neabors added seven apiece as the Highlanders won the battle of the boards 40-28.

The Highlanders opened up the game with two free throws by Rivera, but a three pointer from NAU's (0-2) Amy Patton, one of six on the night for the freshman, put the Lumberjacks up 3-2. After three more lead changes, Northern Arizona opened up their largest lead of the game, 12-7, off a three-pointer by Tyler Stephen-Jenkins at the 15:12 mark.

UC Riverside responded and a Jessie Schmuckal jumper at 12:51 gave them a 14-13 lead. Six minutes later, the Highlanders took the lead for good off another Schmuckal score as they went on a 7-0 run to take a 29-21 advantage with just over three and a half minutes remaining. UCR would head into the locker room with a 38-30 lead, shooting 41.4 percent (12-of-29) in the period.

The Highlanders opened up the second half with two straight buckets and continued to enjoy a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. With just under seven minutes remaining, UCR opened up their largest margin of the game, 69-49, off two Neabors free throws.

Even though NAU's Patton scored 19 points in the second period, the Highlanders were able to counter by outscoring the Lumberjacks 43-33 while shooting 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from the floor.

The Highlanders complete their three-game home stand with a 3:00 pm tip off against Hawaii on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Student Recreation Center. Fans may follow the game live via live stats or tune in to the Voice Of The Highlanders, Ghizal Hasan, as he calls the game right here at gohighlanders.com.