RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside snapped a three-game losing streak to UC San Diego on Saturday night at the SRC Arena, with an upstart third-quarter performance on both ends of the floor that propelled the Highlanders to a 68-48 win. 

In addition to a third quarter that saw the Highlanders put up their second-highest scoring quarter of the season, a complete performance on both ends of the floor that included a season-high 10-of-15 clip from three ultimately led UCR to improve to 5-2 at home.

"The three-point shooting all fed off playing for each other and the effort defensively," head coach Nicole Powell said. "It was great to see the communication and effort on defense translate to great shots on the offensive side."

Shooting woes plagued both teams in the first quarter, so small ball and defense took center stage early on Saturday night in the Inland Empire. Both sides traded buckets through the first 10 minutes, but Keilanei Cooper banked a jumper off the window and in with five seconds on the first quarter clock to give UCR the three-point lead at the end of one. 

Cooper was one of five Highlanders to score in the first quarter, including Jordan Webster with a triple off the bench. An undersized UCR squad already had six different Highlanders with multiple rebounds halfway through the second quarter, led by Cooper and Anna Blount with three apiece. 

Jada Holland, who finished her night with 17 points on 5-of-16 shooting, connected on a jumper at 4:41 to stop a UC San Diego run. UC Riverside only had five made field goals at that point, but was able to stay around thanks to a 5-of-8 clip from the free throw line. Holland made it 7 of 10 with two free ones at 2:33.

Ryanne Walters made her impact in the first half away from the ball, registering an assist, a steal and a block in nine minutes. Walters' off-ball efforts bode well for UCR out of halftime, where the Highlanders started the second half on a 10-2 run with contributions on both ends of the floor. 

Mele Finau knocked down UCR's second three of the night on the Highlanders' first possession of the second half, just the third attempted triple of the night for UC Riverside. Cooper picked up the steal on UC San Diego's ensuing possession and relayed the outlet pass to a streaking Olivia West, who finished the job with an easy layup. 

West, who ended her evening going 5 of 6 from the floor and 4 of 4 from deep for 17 points, nailed her fourth three of the night after UC San Diego went on a run to try and play catch up to cement UC Riverside's highest scoring Big West contest this season. 

After going 6 of 35 from deep in the last two games, UCR's careful shot selection led them to a 4-of-4 clip from beyond the arc in the third quarter. The Highlanders outscored their counterparts 25-7 in the third, ultimately contributing to a 29-7 run going back to late in the first half. 

UCR's 25 points on a 56 percent clip came after managing just 22 at the halftime break. The Highlanders outscored UC San Diego 46-20 in the second half, hitting nine of their 10 threes after the intermission while holding the Tritons to 6 of 24 from the floor and 2 of 11 from deep.

UC Riverside now goes on the road for a four-game swing, starting on Thursday, February 17 against CSU Bakersfield. Tipoff from the Icardo Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.