MORAGA, Calif.—The UC Riverside Women's Basketball team will face challenging opponents during this week's Saint Mary's Thanksgiving Classic when it plays No. 3 Oregon on Friday and Milwaukee on Saturday. Both games are at 12 p.m. PT.

The team is coming off two wins at home against Southern Utah and Coastal Carolina. Down for much of last Thursday's game, the Highlanders went on a 21-9 run in the fourth quarter to pick up a 56-50 win over the Thunderbirds. The team was led by Tianna Eaton, who scored 15 points and notched 10 rebounds. Jannon Otto had 11 points, along with five rebounds.

On Sunday, UCR beat Coastal Carolina behind solid defense and a balanced offensive attack to get a 62-43 win. The Highlanders held Coastal Carolina to just 18.6 percent shooting on the day and were led by Keilanei Cooper, who had 17 points.

UCR currently has five Highlanders averaging double digits in points: Otto (11.8), Marina Ewodo (11.2), Eaton (10.8), Cooper (10.8) and Malou De Kergret (10.3).

Ewodo, along with the rest of the team, have been solid defensively. As of Thursday, UCR is tied for third in the NCAA in blocked shots with 32 total. Ewodo is tied for 14th in the nation with 12 blocks.

SCOUTING THE DUCKS

Oregon is 4-0 to begin the season. Junior Sabrina Ionescu has two triple-doubles and two double-doubles. All five of Oregon's starters are averaging 10 or more points per game, led by Ruthy Hebard's 18.3 ppg. Hebard had 25 points and eight rebounds vs. Buffalo on Sunday in a 102-82 win.

This marks the third career matchup between the Ducks and the Highlanders. In a high scoring affair the last time the two teams met on Dec. 15, 2015, Oregon got a 95-81 win at home. The first matchup came on Dec. 14, 2010, with UCR beating the Ducks in a tight 74-69 victory on the road in Eugene, OR.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

The Highlanders are facing Milwaukee for the first time in program history. The Panthers took a 65-48 loss on Tuesday to Fresno State. Reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Week Megan Walsted finished with a team-high 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Panthers (1-3) beat Columbia in their first win of the season last Friday. The team was led by Walstad, who had 18 points, and Akaylah Hayes, who tallied 17 points.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Classic marks the beginning of a seven game stretch in which the team will play all of its games on the road. The Highlanders will not play another home game until Dec. 28 against New Mexico State.