Davis, Calif.- Their first meeting of the year came in the 2020 Big West Conference opener in Riverside, where the Highlanders prevailed. Saturday, UC Riverside's furious rally second half rally come up short in a 78-69 loss at UC Davis.
 
UC Riverside (8-20, 4-10) dominated the boards and the paint versus the Aggies. The Highlanders outrebounded the hosts 40-33 and outscored them in the paint 26-18.

Jannon Otto's game-high 21 points (3-5 3pt)  led a trio of UCR players in double figures. Keilanei Cooper poured in 19 points, while Marina Ewodo added 18 points to go with eight rebounds and a season-high five steals. 

UC Davis (16-11, 11-3), who came into the game looking to secure a share of the Big West regular-season championship, connected on 14 of their 30 three-point attempts in the win.  

"I'm happy with the effort we showed today. We shot the ball well, controlled the boards and limited our turnovers." said Head Coach Seyram Bell. 
The Highlanders hit 9-of-21 three point attempts against the Aggies, a season-best 42.7 percent connect rate.

With 5:12 to play in the final frame trailing 68-55, the Highlanders went on a 12-4 run that featured threes by Cooper and Ewodo to make it a five-point game with 1:23 to play. UC Davis made a pair of free throws on their next possession. Jannon Otto responded by sinking two of her own to make it a five-point game once again. 

The final nine points scored of the game came at the free throw line. UC Riverside, however, was in no position to trade scores, leaving the comeback attempt unsuccessful. The Aggies claimed their fourth consecutive Big West championship with the, 78-68.

Senior Jalyn Clay had her best game of the season with eight points on 4-4 shooting and five rebounds in 17 minutes of action. 



The Highlanders' tournament hopes now rest with displacing CSUN, who visits UC Davis Thursday. UC Riverside must win at UC Irvine, and have CSUN lose in Davis to regain control of their own destiny and make Saturday's battle a winner take all game for Big West tournament participation. 

Looking Forward 
The Highlanders visit UC Irvine Thursday, before hosting CSUN on senior day, Saturday March 7th at 3pm.