Thursday, March 5
Student Recreation Center
7:00 PM
UC Riverside
59
vs
65
UC Santa Barbara
Kemie Nkele surpassed 2,000 career points againt UCSB.
Photo by: Bobby R. Hester, (c) 2009
Kemie Nkele Reaches 2,000 Career Points as Highlanders Fall 65-59 to UCSB
3/5/2009 9:52:27 PM | Women's Basketball
UCSB 65, UCR 59 - Box Score
Riverside, CA - Senior Kemie Nkele surpassed 2,000 career points after scoring a game-high 29 on Thursday night, but the celebration was limited as the UC Riverside women's basketball team lost to UC Santa Barbara 65-59 for the second time this season. The Highlanders drop to 18-10, 13-2 in conference play, while the Gauchos recover the coveted top spot in conference with a 19-9, 14-1 record.
UCSB handed the Highlanders their first loss since Jan. 4 - the last time these two teams played. Since then, UCR had rattled off a school-best 13-game consecutive winning streak. The Gauchos also snapped the Highlanders perfect home record, which now stands at 9-1.
The game was close throughout as there were nine lead changes and 10 tie scores, and neither team could post a lead larger than seven points. Knotted up at 17 apiece at the 9:05 mark in the first, the Highlanders used a 7-0 run within a two and a half minute span take a 24-17 lead. UCSB closed out the half with a 6-1 run of their own, as UCR entered the locker rooms with a 32-31 advantage.
The Gauchos opened up the second period strong and quickly built a seven point lead, 41-34, with 17:06 remaining. The Highlanders then scored seven straight to tie up the ball game at 41 apiece. UCR extended their lead to six, 52-46, after two Nkele free throws, but UCSB responded and tied the game again at 53 all with 6:32 to go.
After two more tie scores, the Highlanders found themselves down 61-57 with 2:26 remaining. UCR narrowed the margin to two, 61-59, on two Nkele free throws with 16 seconds left, but that was as close as the Highlanders would get as Santa Barbara hit four free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Nkele led UCR with 29 points and eight rebounds, while Seyram Gbewonyo and Chanel Foster each added eight points. UCSB's Lauren Pedersen tallied 28 points to lead the Gauchos.
The Highlanders have one regular season game remaining as they take on the Cal Poly Mustangs on Saturday, March 7 at 5:00 pm. Senior Nite festivities will begin immediately following the game.
Game Notes
Kemie Nkele now has 2,008 points - 184 points off the mark set by Donna Hammond-Mares. She is also just 10 rebounds away from the top spot.
Nkele has grabbed eight rebounds in each of the last five games.
UCSB snapped the Highlanders school-best 13 game win streak and gave them their first loss at home all season.
Riverside, CA - Senior Kemie Nkele surpassed 2,000 career points after scoring a game-high 29 on Thursday night, but the celebration was limited as the UC Riverside women's basketball team lost to UC Santa Barbara 65-59 for the second time this season. The Highlanders drop to 18-10, 13-2 in conference play, while the Gauchos recover the coveted top spot in conference with a 19-9, 14-1 record.
UCSB handed the Highlanders their first loss since Jan. 4 - the last time these two teams played. Since then, UCR had rattled off a school-best 13-game consecutive winning streak. The Gauchos also snapped the Highlanders perfect home record, which now stands at 9-1.
The game was close throughout as there were nine lead changes and 10 tie scores, and neither team could post a lead larger than seven points. Knotted up at 17 apiece at the 9:05 mark in the first, the Highlanders used a 7-0 run within a two and a half minute span take a 24-17 lead. UCSB closed out the half with a 6-1 run of their own, as UCR entered the locker rooms with a 32-31 advantage.
The Gauchos opened up the second period strong and quickly built a seven point lead, 41-34, with 17:06 remaining. The Highlanders then scored seven straight to tie up the ball game at 41 apiece. UCR extended their lead to six, 52-46, after two Nkele free throws, but UCSB responded and tied the game again at 53 all with 6:32 to go.
After two more tie scores, the Highlanders found themselves down 61-57 with 2:26 remaining. UCR narrowed the margin to two, 61-59, on two Nkele free throws with 16 seconds left, but that was as close as the Highlanders would get as Santa Barbara hit four free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Nkele led UCR with 29 points and eight rebounds, while Seyram Gbewonyo and Chanel Foster each added eight points. UCSB's Lauren Pedersen tallied 28 points to lead the Gauchos.
The Highlanders have one regular season game remaining as they take on the Cal Poly Mustangs on Saturday, March 7 at 5:00 pm. Senior Nite festivities will begin immediately following the game.
Game Notes
Kemie Nkele now has 2,008 points - 184 points off the mark set by Donna Hammond-Mares. She is also just 10 rebounds away from the top spot.
Nkele has grabbed eight rebounds in each of the last five games.
UCSB snapped the Highlanders school-best 13 game win streak and gave them their first loss at home all season.
Day in the Life: Leilani Juan
Monday, May 04
UCR Student-Athletes cheer on our students.
Friday, May 01
UCR Athletics Director Introductory Full Press Conference
Tuesday, March 24
Athletics Director Greg Paules Introductory Presentation Recap
Tuesday, March 24
