RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside women's basketball team hosted the Cal Poly Mustangs on Friday, January 29 for the first in a pair of Big West matchups between the two teams in as many days.
A sluggish start on behalf of the Highlanders set the Mustangs up with an early lead, coupled with a strong defensive effort that held UCR to just 22 shooting percentage. Cal Poly pulled away in the second half for a 56-43 Big West Conference victory.
Cal Poly lit the board up first with a three-point bucket which kicked off an 8-0 run that spanned the first five minutes of the game. The Highlanders began to find the net and trailed behind 11-13 as the first period ended.
The teams found a rhythm in the second quarter, and UCR answered every Mustang bucket with a score, preventing Cal Poly from pulling away with the lead. Suzan Kinran's free-throws brought the game to within three points, before the Mustangs hit a jumper and three pointer that lifted Cal Poly to a 31-23 lead at halftime.
Cal Poly opened the third quarter with a layup that brought the Mustangs into a ten-point lead at 33-23. Georgia Ohiaeri answered back immediately on the next possession with a layup to cut the deficit back to eight points. The Highlanders struggled to convert their opportunities in the paint as the period continued, and Cal Poly pulled away with an even larger double-digit lead, entering the final quarter up by fourteen points, 45-31.
UC Riverside fought to regain ground in the fourth quarter, and it turned out to be the only quarter where the Highlanders outscored the Mustangs, 12-11. It wouldn't be enough to overcome Cal Poly, and the Mustangs came out on top with a 56-43 victory.
On the loss, Head Coach Nicole Powell voiced her disappointment, saying, "We just didn't execute the game plan. Is there anything we need to change? I don't necessarily think so, we need to change our application of the plan, not the plan itself." She was pleased to see progress in other areas, saying, "We did see some great minutes out of some players who maybe haven't seen that many, Joy Campbell and India Aikens our freshman had solid minutes and some great experiences to build on. This game was really valuable for them."
The teams return tomorrow, Saturday, January 30 to battle it out in the final game of the series at 3pm in the SRC Arena.
