WBB Marina Ewodo
Carlos Puma
51
CSUN CSUN 14-13 (8-5)
63
Winner UC Riverside UCR 15-12 (9-4)
CSUN CSUN
14-13 (8-5)
51
Final
63
UC Riverside UCR
15-12 (9-4)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
CSUN CSUN 6 23 14 8 51
UC Riverside UCR 11 21 12 19 63

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women's Basketball Picks Up Pivotal 63-51 Win Against CSUN

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Head coach John Margaritis had an interesting message to the UC Riverside Women's Basketball team before its matchup against CSUN on Thursday, arguably its most important game so far this season.

"I told the team to enjoy it because these are the games you will remember," Margaritis said. "Give it your best. You've been playing this entire season to be in situations like this. Enjoy it."

The memories were positive ones once the buzzer sounded and UCR walked off the court with a 63-51 win at the SRC Arena to improve to 15-12 this season and 9-4 during Big West play.

The significance of Thursday's game wasn't lost on anyone in the program. The two teams were both 14-12 and tied for second place with an 8-4 record coming into the game.

"It was very important," Margaritis said. "We couldn't pretend like it was another game. It wasn't. We worked hard before this game to put ourselves in a position to be in second place in the Big West and now we are."

Both teams came out cold from the field, combining to score just 17 points in the first quarter. CSUN started out scoring five straight points, followed by UCR scoring six straight.

Things changed in the second quarter with CSUN and UCR both shooting 60 percent or better. CSUN center Channon Fluker had 11 points in the quarter and hit a three-pointer with just six seconds left to give the Matadors some momentum heading into halftime with UCR leading 32-29.

Daphne Gnago had the tall task of guarding Fluker, who's been pivotal to CSUN's success this season. In Thursday's game, she scored 21 points and collected 13 rebounds.

UCR held CSUN to 1-for-11 shooting to begin the third quarter, but the Matadors were still able to tie the game at 38-38 and then take a two point lead with 2:41 left in the quarter. It marked CSUN's first lead since the 6:40 mark in the first quarter. However, UCR didn't panic, going into the fourth quarter with a 44-43 lead.

Down the stretch, it was the Highlanders who were able to make clutch shots. The team went on a 9-0 run in the middle of the quarter and never looked back. The 12 points UCR wound up winning by was its largest lead of the game.

Jannon Otto scored seven points in the fourth and had four assists, which was more points then she'd scored all game against CSUN in the previous matchup. She was involved in every aspect of the offense, scoring 19 points (8-for-16) and tallying 11 assists for her fifth double-double of the season.

Thursday's game was also important for Marina Ewodo, who once again found an offensive rhythm. It was something she'd been lacking the last few games. She scored 19 points (9-for-14) and had nine rebounds, along with four blocks and four assists.

"She always plays hard, but some games she contributes more than others," Margaritis said. "It's good she was ready to go. She made a big difference."

Tianna Eaton played in her second game since coming back from a broken left foot. She tested it out more on Thursday, playing 29 minutes, which in turn altered the team's rotation. It allowed Margaritis to give breathers to student-athletes who didn't have the luxury while she was injured.

"We are still in a position to compete for second place, but for us to finish there, we have to win our last three conference games," said Margaritis.

The team now heads to UCSB for a 4 p.m. matchup on Saturday. The Highlanders beat the Gauchos, 73-60, on Feb. 2.