RIVERSIDE, Calif. — On Saturday, February 6, Head Coach Nicole Powell's young Highlanders took the court for the final game of the Big West series between the the UC Riverside women's basketball team and California State University Fullerton (CSUF). 
 
Three Highlanders scored in double digits, with Georgia Ohiaeri scoring a game-high 14 points. Keilanei Cooper adding 11 points to the total and Suzan Kinran contributing 10 (4-6, 2-4 3pt). Freshman Joy Campbell had a breakout game with nine points, three rebounds and a game-high four steals. 
 
Coach Powell singled out Campbell, saying "Joy has really just grown up before my eyes. Today she limited her turnovers and ran our team when we were without our starting point guard, as just a freshman. It was one of the great takeaways from this tough weekend."
 
Fresh off game one's victory, the squad controlled the court from tip-off to the final buzzer, holding the lead for 39 minutes of the game, taking only a single scoreless minute after winning the tip off to settle in. 
 
The Highlanders worked efficiently as a defensive unit to stop CSF, forcing 23 turnovers and snagging 11 steals. Offensively, UCR was explosive and aggressive, building an advantage that would prove too difficult for the Titans to overcome. The Highlanders scored 26 points off turnovers and had 12 fast break points.
 
Similar to game one, the Highlanders saw their largest lead of the game in the final period, creating a 22-point margin, 62-40, with 2:22 left in the game. Ohiaeri would nail a jumper with :23 left for a final score of 64-49 in favor of the blue and gold.
 
After the game, Coach Powell beamed, saying, "I am really proud of this team and those aren't empty words. We really have been through a lot of adversity, and this team has a lot going on; midterms, the pandemic, real life, and on top of that we have been hit with a few injuries. We have had to pivot and adjust this weekend." She continued, "I couldn't be prouder of this group for keeping their heads on their shoulders, especially in the middle of the grind of the season. Right now, we need some rest so we can prepare to get back out there."
 
The win advances UCR to .500 on the season with a 7-7 record overall and a 4-4 record in the Big West. The Highlanders hit the road next weekend for another Big West double header on Friday, February 12th, and Saturday the 13th at 4pm in the Bren Events Center at UC Irvine.