FULLERTON, Calif. -  The Highlanders went back on the road and faced the Titans in an afternoon contest. UCR looked for its fourth straight win and its second straight conference win. Plus, the win would put the Highlanders at the .500 mark. Fullerton entered the game on an eight game losing streak. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter was close all the way through. Each team matched baskets to start the game. The game was tied twice and the Highlanders' largest lead in the first was five. The Titans went on a modest run to recapture the lead at 15-13. Jordyn Marshall hit one of two free throws to pull UCR within one (15-14) and then drained a three putting UCR up by two, 17-15. 
• Going into the second, the Highlanders extended their lead to four on a jumper by Shelley Duchemin. The Titans cut the lead to two on a layup by Aaliyah Stanton making it 19-17, UCR. The Highlanders jumped back out to a four point lead on a couple of free throws by Duchemin. Again the Titans would get closer and the Highlanders would answer, as Maya Chocano would put UCR back up by four, 23-19. The Highlanders would extend the lead to seven, 30-23, but the Titans would chip away and cut it to three by half. UCR took a 30-27 lead at the break.
• Esther Matarranz and Hannah Wickstrom hit back-to-back threes to start the third and the Highlanders led, 35-27. The Titans got a four quick points and the eight point lead was cut in half, 35-31. Both teams matched basket for basket and every time the Highlanders tried to seize control, the Titans answered. Hannah Wickstrom hit another three to put UCR up four, 43-39. Cal State Fullerton got it back down to one, but UCR answered with a Duchemin jumper ending the third, 46-43 Highlanders.
• The fourth started with a bucket by the Titans, cutting the lead down to one, but again the Highlanders answered. Matarranz hit a big jumper early giving UCR a 52-47 advantage. She then came down and hit a three extending the lead to 55-47. Just when it looked like UCR would pull away, Cal State Fullerton came back. They scored four points, capped off on a layup by Stanton. Marshall then made a layup to stop the bleeding and make a two possession game. The Titans cut it back down to two before the Highlanders extended the lead and finally took control of the game. Wickstrom iced the game with two late free throws and the Highlanders won their fourth straight. 

COACH LANGSTON ON THE GAME
"Great win on the road. Our team showed incredible grit against a very competitive Fullerton squad. The way we executed down the stretch highlights the growth and maturity we've been working toward, especially in closing out tight games. This is a big step forward for us."

NOTABLES

• Three Highlanders ended in double figures: Ducehmin (18), Wickstrom (16) and Makayla Rose (10).
• Zoe Tillery led the way with three steals.
• Matarranz grabbed a team high six boards.
• With the win the Highlanders inch closer to winning its 300 game at the Division 1 level.

NEXT UP

• The Highlanders go on a bit of a break and will return to action on December 18 when they take on Utah State at 5PM in Logan.