Women's Basketball 12/31/2015 2:00:00 PM

Women's Basketball Kicks Off New Year At Grand Canyon University In 3pm PT Tip

Highlanders In Week Eight

Game Notes

at Grand Canyon University

Saturday, January 2, 3:00 pm PT

Phoenix, AZ—In the final tune-up before conference play begins, the UC Riverside Women's Basketball team (6-7) looks get back to even on the season with a road victory at Grand Canyon University on Saturday, January 2 at 3 pm PT.

Both teams have the reigning Player of the Week in their respective conferences, with UCR's Rejane Verin capturing Big West honors, and Grand Canyon's Jessica Gajewski taking home the award from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

The Highlanders are playing their 10^th (3-6) game away from home in the non-conference schedule. The Antelopes are 4-2 at home this season, and have won two in a row at GCU Arena.

The Highlanders are coming off a, 70-56, loss at home to #19 UCLA Monday, when they were outscored 29-14 in the third quarter, after leading for most of the first half. (box score/recap)

Rejane Verin led the team with 24 points and seven rebounds. Brittany Crain scored nine points—snapping her streak of 12 straight games of scoring in double figures.

Verin is averaging 20.3 points and 8.3 rebounds over her last three games. She also leads the Big West in scoring at 17.7 points, and is fourth with 7.6 rebounds a game.

Crain is second in the conference, averaging 17.1 points a game, while Annelise Ito is third on the team in scoring at 12.5 a game and fifth the Big West in rebounding with 7.2 per contest.

Grand Canyon University (7-7) was victorious in their last game, Wednesday night over San Diego Christian, 60-40. Jessica Gajewski scored 18 points, while four other players scored nine points apiece and three players had over eight rebounds each.

Gajewski, who was named Western Athletic Conference's Player of the Week, averages 12.1 points a game and takes over 62 percent (96/154) of her shot attempts from three point range.

Joining Gajewski in averaging double figures is Cheyenne Hedrington (12.3) and Courtney Hayes (10.0).

The Antelopes have won five out of their last six games. In non-conference play they have faced two Big West opponents— Hawai'i (L, 74-41) and UC Irvine (W, 58-53).

UCR leads the overall series 12-3, and has won five of the last six meetings, the last of which took place in December of 2000. (view results)