Box Score URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of California, Riverside women's basketball team traveled east on Sunday, November 21 to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to challenge the Fighting Illini at the State Farm Arena. 
 
The Highlanders battled hard, but mostly trailed the Fighting Illini through four quarters. After catching up to the Illini's lead in the second half, UC Riverside took the lead with a layup from Mele Finau to put the score at 23-21. Less than two minutes and three Illinois points later, the Illini were back in control and the Highlanders wouldn't catch up again.
 
In the second half, the Highlanders came within four points of Illinois as time ran out on the clock. The Illini held off the Highlanders, answering back every time UCR threatened through the back half of the game. Highlander offense poured the points on in the back half in an attempt to overcome the Illini, scoring 23 points in the third quarter and 29 in the fourth.
 
At the end of the game, Illinois secured the win in a close one, 82-86.
 
Three Highlanders scored double digits in the Sunday afternoon matchup. Keilanei Cooper led her team across most categories with 23 points, seven boards and five assists. Jada Holland added 16 points and matched Cooper with a team-high five assists. Olivia West scored 12 points with four rebounds and two assists. 
 
The Highlanders travel next to Santa Clara University on Monday, November 29 with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 PM.