Gemma Cutler vs CSUN
58
UC Riverside UCR 8-9,4-3 Big West
59
Winner UC San Diego UCSD 8-11,4-3 Big West
UC Riverside UCR
8-9,4-3 Big West
58
Final
59
UC San Diego UCSD
8-11,4-3 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UC Riverside UCR 14 19 9 16 58
UC San Diego UCSD 20 25 11 3 59

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Tritons Hold Off Highlanders

LA JOLLA, Calif.- The Highlanders traveled down to UC San Diego looking for both their fifth conference win and the team's 700th win in program history. The win total includes UC RIverside's time as an independent program, a division 2 program and now a division 1 program. This was the 21st time these two teams have met with UCR holding a 13-7 edge. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The Highlanders got off to a hot start jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead over the Tritons. UCSD came right back and rattled off eleven straight taking a four point lead with 3:57 left in the first. Shelley Duchemin buried a three cutting the lead to one. UCR took a one point lead after Seneca Hackley hit two free throws. UCSD ended the first on a 7-0 run and took a 20-14 lead. 
  • Maya Chocano got the first UCR bucket of the frame, but then the offense stalled. The Highlanders went scoreless for the next four minutes before Esther Matarranz made a layup with 4:59 left in the quarter. By that time though the Tritons built 16-point lead, 34-18. Duchemin would hit another layup, but that was UCR's only bucket in about 2:30 minutes. Both teams traded baskets the final few minutes of the half and UCSD took a 45-33 lead into the intermission.
  • Makayla Rose got the scoring started in the third when she buried a three to cut into the 12-point lead. The offense stalled for both teams with UCSD edging out UCR 11-9 in the third and taking a 56-42 lead.
  • Duchemin got things going in the fourth hitting a layup and cutting into the UCSD lead, 56-44. She scored the Highlanders first six points in the fourth as UCR tried to get back into the game. A big three from Hackley inched the Highlanders closer to the Tritons, 56-51 and forced UCSD to call a timeout. At the 3:00 minute mark of the fourth the Highlanders trailed the Tritons by five, 58-53. Both teams hit a dry spell with a couple of turnovers and fouls. Hackley got a big layup with 1:46 left in regulation and after Kaylani Polk stole the ball she drew a foul sending her to the line. She made one of the two and the Highlanders trailed by three. Polk then stole the ball and took it the distance cutting the lead to one. With 29 seconds left in the fourth the Highlanders forced a missed three point attempt, collected the rebound and called their full timeout. UCR would have the chance to win the game working for the final shot. The Highlanders, though, could not get the final shot off, as UCSD stole the ball with two seconds left and sealed the win. 

NOTABLES

  • Duchemin and Hackley led the way for the Highlanders scoring 15 and 14 respectively. 
  • Matarranz dominated on the boards collecting eleven rebounds tops on both sides.
  • Win number 700 will have to wait another couple of days when UCR travels to UC Irvine on Thursday. 

UP NEXT

  • The road trip continues for the Highlanders as they travel to UC Irvine. UCR looks for the season sweep against the Anteaters. Tip time is 6:00 p.m. on Thursday night.