UCR Takes Down CSU Fullerton 55-43 In Game One of Conference Series
 
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The UC Riverside women's basketball team won game one of a two-game Big West Conference series held at the SRC Arena against California State University Fullerton (CSUF), 55-43. Senior Keilanei Cooper had an outstanding night with a game-high 19 points (shooting 3-5 from the arc) off the bench for the Highlanders. Freshman Joy Campbell grabbed a team-high seven off the glass and dished out a game-high six assists. Bryanna Brady and Suzan Kinran contributed seven points each to the Highlanders' victory.
 
Head Coach Nicole Powell said, "I am really proud of the team tonight. We are facing all kinds of adversity right now, and dealing with some injuries, so, we had some unorthodox minutes today." She continued, "Everyone who was able played for us tonight, which was great to see."
 
Cal State Fullerton lit up the scoreboard first with a layup in the second minute of the game, it was the only time the Titans were ahead of UCR in the entire contest. Lauryn Pointer quickly tied it up before CSUF could extend their lead. With a three-pointer from India Aikins, UCR pulled past the Titans and held the lead for the next 35 minutes of the game. 
 
Cooper continued her deliberate offensive attack against the Titans in the second quarter, nailing a jumper to start the period, and sinking two more jumpers and a three-pointer on her way to 14 points as UCR entered the locker room up 27-21 at the half.
 
A 16-4 UCR run carried the Highlanders through the third quarter, making it their most effective offensive period of the game. UC Riverside added 18 points to their total in the third frame, putting them at a 45-32 advantage when the clock expired on the quarter.
 
CSUF pressured UCR defensively in the final quarter, but it was too little too late. UCR saw their largest lead of the contest in the final period, creating a 17-point deficit at 53-36 with three minutes on the clock. It proved to be too much for the Titans to overcome.
 
On pulling off the win in the face of adversity, Coach Powell was pleased, saying, "We came out and we were poised. Fullerton looked to make a run wherever they could, and we remained calm and stopped the bleeding sooner rather than later. It was a sign of maturity for this young team; we started four freshmen tonight. We are going through some growing pains right now, but at the end of the day, I'm so proud and think things are coming together really well for this team."
 
The Highlanders look towards game two of the series,  tomorrow, Saturday, February 6 at 4:00 PM in the SRC Arena.