Riverside–Rejane Verin scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out seven assists in leading the UC Riverside Women's Basketball Team to a, 76-58, victory over UC Irvine in the Highlanders' Big West opener.

UC Riverside opened the game cold, shooting 3-17 from the field, 17.6 percent in the first period. The Highlanders only points coming from Holt, Clemence Lefebvre, and Skyler Lewis–they all had a bucket apiece.

Lauren Holt led the way for UCR in a first half that saw the Highlanders fall behind 18-6 in the opening quarter, before rallying in the second period to make it a one-point game at the break, 35-34.

The Anteaters were led by sharpshooter Andee Ritter, who hit four threes in the first period for 12 points, but had just two in the second as she would share first half scoring honors with Holt.

Vérin sank a jumper on UCR's first possession of the third, which gave the blue and gold a one-point lead. Ritter answered at the other end with her one of her seven threes on the evening to put the visitors back in front, 38-36.  

The Highlanders the had a 6-0 run in which they got back-to-back buckers from Vérin, and one from Lewis that put them ahead by four, 42-38.

With under two and a half minutes to play in the third, UCR outscored the 'Eaters 7-0 to close out the quarter and enter the final frame with a 12-point lead, 58-46, as they scored 24 points in the period, compared to 11 for UC Irvine.

Lewis hit a jumper in paint for the first score of the fourth to put the Highlanders ahead by 14, which would be their smallest lead of the period as they pushed the margin to as many 20 before claiming the 76-58 victory. 

The Saturday evening victory moves their Big West winning streak to 17 games, dating back to last season.

They outrebounded UCI 47-30, and collected 18 offensive rebounds, whittled to 12 second chance points in the win.

Vérin's 21 points, 10 rebounds earned her third double-double of the season, while her seven assists put her just shy of recording a triple-double. Holt finished with 20 points, her third 20 plus game of the year, and pulled down six caroms.

Lefevbrve grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds, and shot 3-5 from the floor in scoring six points. Lewis added eight points and six boards in 22 minutes of play.

Ritter finished with a career-high 23 points, and made seven of her 14 attempts from long distance to lead UC Irvine. 

The Highlanders host Cal Poly next week on Thursday before heading up the coast to take UC Santa Barbara Saturday.

The 2016 Big West Championship Team will receive their rings at halftime of the Men's game versus UC Davis, which follows the Women's game against Cal Poly on Thursday, January 12.