Bakersfield—For the first time this season, the Highlanders had four players score in double figures, as they edged CSU Bakersfield, 71-66, in the Icardo Center. Réjane Vérin led the way with team highs of 20 points and eight rebounds in the win.
 
Bakersfield opened the game hot, shooting 6-8 from the field, 4-5 from three-point land in establishing a, 16-8, lead midway through the quarter.
 
The Highlanders defense locked in to hold the Runners to 2-10 shooting, and cut the deficit to four, 21-17, at the end of the first period. Erika Williams knocked down four triples for CSUB in the first 10 minutes.
 
Lauren Holt connected from long range to open the scoring in the second quarter, before freshman Skyler Lewis made a jump hook in the lane to give the Highlanders their first lead of the game, 22-21.
 
Sophomore transfer Malou De Kergret then connected from three to make it a four-point game, and spark a, 20-8, UCR run to closeout the half.
 
Simone DeCoud led the Highlanders, who were ahead 40-29 at the break, with 10 points and five assists, while De Kergret went 3-4 from distance in scoring nine points. Williams had 16 to pace the home side.

CSU Bakersfield cut into the Highlander margin, outscoring the blue and gold 18-15 in third period to enter final frame trailing, 55-47.
 
In the fourth period, the Runners applied a full court press, which helped them outscore UCR 15-10 to trim the lead to just three, 65-62, with 3:20 to play.
 
DeCoud then hit a jumper from the free-throw line.to get things back in order, and push the lead back up to five.
 
After a Bakersfield bucket, Vérin made a pair of free-throws for two of her 14 second half points. The clubs traded points down the stretch until UCR emerged with the, 71-66, victory.
 
Vérin, who went 8-9 at the free-throw line, led all scorers with 20 points, and pulled down eight caroms to go with four assists. DeCoud had a stellar all-around performance with 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals.
 
Holt rebounded from an 0-9 outing last game to shoot 6-13 for in amassing 14 points, and grabbing seven boards. De Kergret finished with a career-high 11 points, knocking down three triples before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.

Williams finished with 19 points, just three in second half, for Bakersfield who also had four players in double figures.
 
UC Riverside resumes play on the road at LMU Saturday, December 17 in a 1 pm tip.