RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside improved to 2-2 in Big West play on Saturday night at the SRC Arena with a 55-42 win over UC Santa Barbara.
The victory snapped a three-game skid to the Gauchos, and made it eight straight over UC Santa Barbara in the Inland Empire.
UCR's defense was the star player for the first couple minutes, as the Highlanders forced five Gaucho turnovers in the first three minutes and change while yielding just one shot to UC Santa Barbara. Through five minutes, UC Riverside held a 6-0 lead with eight forced turnovers while holding UC Santa Barbara to 0 of 2 from the floor.
Jada Holland sank UCR's first triple in the final 30 seconds of the first quarter, an answer to a UC Santa Barbara three that came on the heels of an offensive effort that gave the Gauchos their first lead of the game.
Holland's quality start continued into the second quarter with seven points, four rebounds and three steals with five and a half minutes left in the second quarter.
Olivia West sank her first three of the night at a crucial point, knocking down her first of four attempts at the 5:31 mark to tie the game at 17.
UC Riverside ended the half on a 6-1 run over the last four and a half minutes with four from Keilanei Cooper and a field goal from Matehya Bryant, who played only her second game since November 21.
UCR rattled off five straight points to open up the second half with Jordan Webster getting on the scoresheet. Webster knocked down her second triple as the third quarter wound down, giving UCR some much-needed separation with a 35-29 lead and an extended 8-1 run.
The Highlanders outscored their counterparts 15-7 in the third period to take a commanding lead into the final quarter, where an 8-1 UCR run all but sealed the Highlanders' eighth straight win over the Gauchos at the SRC Arena.
A balanced scoring attack led UCR to the Saturday night win with eight Highlanders on the scoresheet and three in double figures. Jada Holland notched her fifth double-digit scoring total of the season while Olivia West reached double digits for the second consecutive outing.
Holland and Daphne Gnago combined for 17 rebounds in the win.
UCR is back in action on Thursday, January 27 to begin a four-game road trip at Long Beach State. The 7:00 p.m. tip with the Beach will be streamed live on ESPN+ with live stats available at www.longbeachstate.com.
