RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The UC Riverside Women's Basketball team will look to rebound from a loss to CSUN and win its second Big West Conference game at Long Beach State on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Saturday's game at CSUN was a tale of two halves. While it may have resulted in a 69-56 loss, the grit and determination of the team proved to be the biggest takeaways.

While the Matadors had a 29 point lead at one point, the Highlanders (7-11, 1-3) whittled away the lead in the fourth quarter down to nine points. UCR was outscored by 22 in the first half, but the team outscored CSUN by nine in the second half.

"We were able to find another gear," head coach John Margaritis said after the game. "I felt like this was the first time this season that we were able to respond like this."

Relying on their defense so far this season, the Highlanders are third in the Big West in scoring defense (63.4 ppg) and third in defensive field goal percentage, with a .374 average.

The Highlanders took a tough 63-45 loss to the Beach on Jan. 10. at home. Keilanei Cooper led the way for UCR with 13 points. While the score was close at halftime, the Highlanders scored just 21 points in the second half.

SCOUTING THE BEACH
After starting out 2-0 in Big West play, Long Beach State took a 60-54 loss to UC Santa Barbara. Prior to the loss, LBSU had a four-game winning streak. Cydnee Kinslow and Naomi Hunt were the high scorers for the Beach. Kinslow had 12 points, while Hunt scored 11 points.

BLOCK PARTY
The Highlanders are second in the Big West in blocked shots with 84, averaging of 4.7 per game. Marina Ewodo has 34 of those and is averaging 1.9 blocks per game, which is second in the Big West. The team has out-blocked opponents 84-31.

OTTO-MATIC
Jannon Otto hasn't let up since winning the Big West Player of the Week. She's scored 20 or more points in three of the five games since then. She is averaging 13.2 points per game and has four double-doubles this season.

REBOUNDING RATE
The Highlanders have three student-athletes in the Top 10 in rebounds/game in the Big West, going 5-6-7: Marina Ewodo (7.1), Daphne Gnago (6.8) and Jannon Otto (6.4). Gnago's 15 rebounds vs. CSUN is the most by a player in the Big West so far this season.

ASSISTING SUCCESS
UCR has out-assisted opponents so far this season. The team is averaging 14.6 assists per game, while opponents are averaging 12.5.