RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside and Long Beach State played their seventh straight meeting that came down to single digits on Saturday at the SRC Arena, but defensive tenacity and a big day from Jordan Webster helped UCR pick up its first Big West win with a 49-43 victory. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UC Riverside opened up a fast 9-2 lead on the Beach, holding Long Beach State without a made bucket for the entirety of the first quarter. 
• UCR continued to put its defense on a pedestal early with 15 forced turnovers and nine steals through two minutes into the second quarter. The Highlanders scored 11 of their 20 first half points off Beach turnovers.  
• Jordan Webster beat the halftime buzzer with a three from just over halfcourt, extending the Highlander lead to five at the break just as Long Beach State began to find its rhythm offensively. 
• Webster was just getting started, later pouring in 15 consecutive points to put UCR in command for its first Big West win. The senior had rattled in eight straight before being fouled on a contested shot that started with the Highlanders' 22nd steal of the night. 
• UC Riverside held Long Beach State to just 1 of 14 on the night from three and made its offensive push when it mattered most, shooting a game-high 35.3% from the floor in the fourth quarter and finishing the game on a 12-2 run over the final 3:32. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

• UC Riverside's 22 steals were the most in a game for a Highlander squad since 2016, four shy of tying a program record and the most in a game by a Big West team this season. Overall, UCR forced a season-high 35 turnovers. 
• Webster was one point short of tying a career high, stuffing the stat sheet with 27 points on 7-of-26 shooting to go with five rebounds, an assist and five steals. 
• RyAnne Walters tied Webster with five steals of her own while registering an additional two rebounds and three assists. 
• UCR scored 21 of its 49 points off turnovers and picked up its first win of the season when trailing at 5:00 of the fourth quarter. 
• The Highlanders held their opponent with just a single make from downtown for the second time this season.⁣

UP NEXT

• UC Riverside is back in action on Thursday, January 11 for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff at Cal Poly on ESPN+.