Santa Barbara–Simone DeCoud scored a game-high 22 points, and Réjane Vérin had 15 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 24 turnovers committed by the UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team in their, 58-54, loss at UC Santa Barbara.
The Gauchos got out to an 8-0 advantage to start the game, before the Highlanders outscored them 17-7 to end the opening period leading 17-15.
The second period saw UCR fall behind as UCSB went on a 9-2 run over the first three and a half minutes of the quarter and establish a five-point lead, 24-19. The Highlander would rally to maintain contact and close the first half trailing 30-29.
UCR committed an uncharacteristic 11 turnovers against 10 made baskets on 26 attempts in the first 20 minutes of play. DeCoud led the way with 12 points and Vérin chipped in eight.
Coming out of the intermission, Vérin scored on the Highlanders' first possession of the second half to retake the lead, 31-30. The game was tied at 34 apiece when the Gauchos had a 8-2 spurt that created a six-point margin that they would maintain to the end in the period at 46-40.
To start the fourth, DeCoud scored the first straight points then took a charge that sparked a 9-0 rally in which Skyler Lewis had offensive rebound and put back to retake lead at 47-46. Vérin with a score from the right block that forced UCSB call for time.
The Gauchos broke the huddle, and proceeded to outscore the Highlanders 7-0 over a four minute stretch that saw UCR get just two shot attempts, which they missed, and commit five turnovers.
Trailing by with 17 seconds remaining DeCoud took the inbounds pass the length of the floor and made a baseline jumper that made it a one-point game, 55-54.
The Highlanders were forced to foul Sarah Porter, who made both of her free-throws to share game-high scoring honors with DeCoud at 22 points, and put the home side up three.
UC Riverside failed to get up a game-tying shot attempt, as they turned ball over on their final possession in the 58-54 loss in the Big West road opener.
Their 24 miscues are the second most this season (29 at USC), and combined with 13 assists mark the fourth time Coach Margaritis' team has had more assists that turnovers. The team is 1-3 is those games.
DeCoud finished with 22 points and Vérin had 15–-both players pulled down nine boards.
The Saturday afternoon defeat ended an 18 game-winning streak in conference play, dropped the Highlander back to .500 on the year at 8-8.
UCR will wrap the season series with the Anteaters at UC Irvine Thursday, before hosting Cal State Fullerton Saturday on ESPN3. Both games start at 7 pm.
