RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Winners of two straight on the road, the Highlanders returned to the SRC Arena for their Big West opener against CSUN. UCR ended November topping both Cal State San Marcos and Saint Mary's to push its record to 3-5. The Matadors entered the contest 2-4, and on a four game losing streak. The Highlanders looked to keep up the defense, as UCR leads the Big West in points against at 56.4 ppg. CSUN entered the game giving up the most points among Big West teams at 80.2. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUN jumped out quickly leading UCR 7-2. Then the Highlanders caught fire. Shelley Duchemin and Hannah Wickstrom hit back-to-back layups to cut the lead to 7-6. Then the wheels fell off for the Matadors as UCR went on an incredible 14-0 run. Leading 20-7, the Matadors hit a couple of free throws, but then UCR went on a modest 7-0 run to end the quarter up 27-9.
• The second quarter started like the first ended. UCR went on a 12-4 run and took control of the game. The Highlanders' defense started their offense. Both teams traded buckets, but UCR took a 45-19 halftime lead. 
• UCR started quickly in the third. Makayla Rose started the scoring with an opening layup. Duchemin followed up with another layup and the Highlanders got a quick four points.  Both teams traded baskets, but UCR still maintained its double digit lead. By the end of the third quarter UCR was up by 25, leading CSUN 62-37. 
• The defense picked up in the fourth, as UCR held CSUN to 11 points and took their conference opener, 72-48. This was fourth time this season that the Highlanders held an opponent to under 50 points. 

COACH LANGSTON ON THE GAME

"Tonight was a great team win, and I'm really proud of how we showed growth in multiple phases of the game. Defensively, we were locked in, forcing 27 turnovers while staying disciplined and limiting our fouls. Offensively, we found our rhythm early and maintained that flow throughout the game. It was a total team effort, and it's exciting to see our hard work paying off."

NOTABLES

• Two Highlanders ended the game in double figures. Duchemin and Rose both had 14 points.
• Esther Matarranz cleaned up on the boards again and led UCR with nine.
• Duchemin and Rose added qfour steals each.
• With the win, the Highlanders move closer to a couple of milestones, they are now five wins away from 700 and three wins away from number 300 on the division 1 level.

UP NEXT

• The Highlanders get back on the road for the first of three road games to close out the 2024 calendar year. They head to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, December 7 at 2PM.