RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The UC Riverside Women's Basketball team put up a fight in the Crosstown Showdown against California Baptist at the CBU Events Center on Thursday night, but it came up short in a 65-57 loss.

This marked the first matchup with CBU since it became a NCAA Division I school. It was also the first time the two teams played each other in the regular season since 2001.

It may not have been the outcome that head coach John Margaritis wanted, but he understands just what this matchup means to the community.

"A game like this gives you bragging rights for a year," he said. "Tonight, CBU was the better team and they deserved to win."

After the Highlanders (2-6) started the game 1-for-8 from the field, shots began to fall for the team the rest of the quarter, finishing 6-for-11 after Malou De Kergret drained a three-pointer at the buzzer.

The Highlanders, who went into halftime down 35-32, were led on the offensive end in the first half by De Kergret and Tianna Eaton, who combined to score 18 points. De Kergret finished the game with a team-high 16 points, while Eaton had 11 points.

The Lancers, a team who's offense relies heavily on its ability to drain three-pointers, went 5-for-19 from the three-point line in the first half and 9-for-31 overall. The Highlanders in comparison went 2-for-15 on the night.

Forward Marina Ewodo had another solid game on defense, collecting 11 rebounds and blocking three shots. She now has a total of 18 blocks this season, which leads the Big West. Ewodo also finished the game with 14 points.

The Highlanders had a tough time guarding forward Britney Thomas, who battled down low and finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds.

The team's next game will be in the Maui Classic, which begins next Friday against Texas A&M.

"At this moment, we have played a variety of teams in a variety of ways and places," Margaritis said. "As of right now, we have a lot of things we need to go back and work on."