Irvine–The UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team completed the sweep of the season series of UC Irvine with a 79-58 victory in the Bren Events Center.
UCR had four players score in doubles figures, handed out 22 assists, and committed just nine turnovers Thursday night.
The Highlanders held UCI scoreless until the 7:03 mark in the opening period, and lead 9-2 at that point. The Anteaters applied full court pressure midway through the first, but Malou De Kergret sank of one of her two triples putting UCR ahead 14-7.
Lauren Holt's defensive effort on Andee Ritter held her without a shot attempt through the first eight minutes. In their first meeting of the season, Ritter torched the Highlanders for 14 first quarter points.
The blue and gold defense forced the 'Eaters into seven turnovers, while UCR also showed signs of lessons learned from last game committing just a single miscue.
Skyler Lewis led the scoring attack for the Highlanders in the second quarter going 3-4 from the floor on the way to scoring seven of her 10 first half points. Réjane Vérin led all scorers with 11 points at the intermission.
Irvine was led by Shereen Sutherland's 10 points on 4-5 shooting. For the second period in a row the home side committed seven turnovers, and trailed 39-23 going into the locker room.
The Highlanders outscored UC Irvine 13-4 over the first five minutes of the third pushing the lead to 25 leaving only the final margin in doubt as they would head into the fourth leading, 63-34.
UC Irvine connected on five of six threes in the final frame to cut into the Highlander advantage, but never get any closer than 21, the game's final margin, 79-58.
Four UCR players scored in double figures for the first since in seven games (12/21/16, at KU). The Highlanders picked up a season-high tying 10 steals, and forced the Anteaters into 21 turnovers-the second-most by any opponent this season.
Vérin finished with a game-high 17 points. Lewis poured in 12 points, and pulled down a team-high eight boards. Freshman Marina Ewodo (Pau, France) erupted for a career-high 11 points on 4-5 shooting, including two makes in three attempts from long distance.
De Kergret also knocked down a pair of triples in scoring 10 points to round out the four players in double figures.
The UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team returns to action Saturday, when they host Cal State Fullerton at 7 pm on ESPN3.
