Highlanders Hang Tough In Loss To Hawai’i

Saturday, January 25

Riverside, Calif.

5:00 P.M.

University of California, Riverside

6-13,2-3Big West

Hawaii

9-10,3-3Big West

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Hawaii	15	20	16	14	65
UC Riverside	11	12	21	15	59

Highlanders Hang Tough In Loss To Hawai’i

1/25/2020 9:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Presented by Altura Credit Union

Riverside, Calif. — In their first meeting of the season in Honolulu, the UC Riverside Women's Basketball team lost by 23 points. In the California edition of the Big West matchup, the Highlanders erased a 12-point first half deficit, before narrowly losing an intense, 65-59, battle in the SRC Arena Saturday night.

Jannon Otto led the way for Highlanders with a game-high 21 points to go with six rebounds. Marina Ewodo tallied her third double-double of the season with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, while Keilanei Cooper added 11 points.

"I definitely feel like we played hard enough to win, however, our execution down the stretch on both ends could of been much better." said Head Coach Seyram Bell.

UC Riverside (6-13, 2-3) also got quality play from Lauryn Pointer, who went 2-4 from long distance and drew three charges in her first start since Nov. 9th, the third game of the season.

Hawai'i (9-10, 3-3) got out to a 7-2 lead early on, and outscored the hosts 20-12 in the second to take a 35-23 lead in the locker room.

The game was starting to look similar to the clubs' matchup in paradise last week. The visiting Rainbow Warriors got four or more points from five different players in the first 20 minutes, while all but two UCR points came from Otto (12) and Cooper (9).

The Highlanders came out the halftime break with an urgency that sparked a 15-5 run that made it 40-38 and saw four different players score, including three-balls from Pointer and Georgia Ohiaeri.

With 2:13 to play and the shot clock running down, Bryanna Brady faced up towards the basket and drained a 17-foot jumper that made it a one-point game, 43-42. The Bows responded with an 8-2 spurt to go to the fourth leading, 51-44.

In the fourth, UCR battled to within four points (61-57) with under two minutes to play, when Pointer was assessed a flagrant foul while battling for a loose ball. Hawai'i converted the two free throws they were awarded, essentially clinching the victory.

With the loss, UC Riverside's four-game winning streak was snapped.

Looking Forward

The Highlanders visit Long Beach next week, before hosting UC Irvine.