RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside opened the 2023-24 home schedule on Saturday night at the SRC Arena with a 69-47 win over Antelope Valley.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• UCR got off to a hot start with a 9-2 lead and shot 50 percent in the first quarter behind five points each from Jordan Webster and Zoe Tillery.  
• The Highlanders raced out to a 32-16 lead as Esther Matarranz hit three of four field goals in span of four and a half minutes. UCR's defense held Antelope Valley scoreless for the final three and a half minutes of the first half before taking a 36-21 lead into the break.  
• UCR pulled further away from UAV in the third quarter with an 8-0 run, ultimately closing the frame on a 13-2 scoring spree.  
• Matarranz's hook shot at 8:04 of the fourth quarter elevated her to 10 points for a new career high. The junior finisher UCR's home opener with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting to alongside six rebounds, two assists and a block. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS 

• UCR dominated the Pioneers in points off turnovers (21-8) and second chance points (15-4) while holding Antelope Valley to 35 percent shooting.  
• The Highlanders improved to 11-12 all-time in home openers and won their first since 2020-21.  
• UC Riverside's offense assisted on 19 of its 25 field goals for the evening while recording its highest field goal percentage of the young season at 42 percent. 

UP NEXT 

• UC Riverside will stay at home to host Utah State on Wednesday, November 22 for a 4:00 p.m. tipoff with the Aggies on ESPN+.