IRVINE, Calif. - UC Riverside opened Big West play on Saturday afternoon in Irvine falling 59-53 to UC Irvine at the Bren Events Center. 

UC Riverside's smart shot selection in the first quarter kept the Highlanders neck and neck with UCI in the Big West opener, going 5 for 7 from the floor in the first 10 minutes. Five different Highlanders scored in the opening quarter, including Anna Blount, who made just her second start of the season. 

Back-to-back made jumpers from India Aikins spurred UCR to keep up with the Anteaters' upstart offense before the Canadian pulled the Highlanders ahead with another jumper at the 7:48 mark. Aikins poured in eight of her career-high 12 points in the second quarter on a perfect 4-for-4 clip. 

UCR shot a cool 47.8% from the floor in the first half but cleaned up on the defensive glass to the tune of 13-5. 

UC Riverside started the second half on a 7-1 run that included a three from RyAnne Walters that tied the game at 30. A later 8-0 run that carried into the fourth helped UCR take a 47-44 lead early in the final frame, the Highlanders' largest lead of the afternoon to that point. 

Seven Highlanders in total registered points on Saturday's matinee and five grabbed four rebounds each. 

UC Riverside is back on the court on Thursday, January 13 to host Cal Poly. Fans are not permitted inside the SRC Arena during competition at this time, but the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available on GoHighlanders.com.