Box Score El Paso, TX—UCR committed a season-high 22 turnovers and was outrebounded 46-33 in a 68-57 loss to UTEP in the fifth annual Thanksgiving Classic.

The Highlanders came into the game ranked 34^th in the nation with a 1.26 assist to turnover ratio.

In the first quarter UCR jumped out to 13-7 advantage, but UTEP responded outscoring the Highlanders 8-0 over the final 3:38 of the first period to lead, 15-13. The Highlanders committed 10 first quarter turnovers, which the Miners converted into 11 points.

The second quarter saw UCR battle back to take the lead 25-24, but UTEP went on another run, this time 8-2, to end the first with a five point margin, 32-27. The Highlanders cut their turnovers down to just five in the second, however the Miners turned those into nine of their 17 points scored in the period.

Annelise Ito had 9 points, and 7 rebounds, while Rejane Verin scored 7 points, and grabbed 6 rebounds in the first half to lead UC Riverside.

UTEP Sparkle Taylor's scored 9 points, and Cameasha Turner 8, after 20 were minutes played.

In the third period, UTEP scored 16 points in the paint, aided by offensive rebounding to increase their margin to as much 11. UCR did take better care of the ball, but now they were struggling to keep the Miners off the offensive glass, who led 53-44 heading into the final period.
 
With the score 56-47,the Miners went on an 8-1 run fueled by five points Daeshianna McCants to push the lead to 16. UCR would cut the lead to 11 at 68-57 with 2:07 to play in the game, but neither team scored again, as the Miners went on to claim the victory, and a meeting with Idaho State in the 6:05 pm PT championship game.
 
The Highlanders were outrebounded 27-13 in the second half, and had just 13 assists against 22 turnovers for the game—a -1.69 assist to turnover ratio.
 
UCR was led by Ito's 14 points, Simone Decoud had 13, Brittany Crain 12, and Verin 10.

Cameasha Turner scored 11 points, and Starr Breedlove had 10, to lead the Miners.

The Highlanders will play Saturday at 3:35pm PT against Southeast Missouri State, who lost a 65-64 decision to the Bengals of Idaho State earlier this evening.

Saturday's match-up is the first meeting between the clubs in the history of the programs.