RIVERSIDE, Calif.- The Highlanders returned to the SRC Arena for a late afternoon game against CSU Bakersfield. The Roadrunners entered the contest with only one win on the year. The Highlanders entered the game with a program win total of 699 and sought win number 700. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter started slow for both teams, with the Roadrunners holding an 11-5 advantage. Esther Matarranz got the scoring started with a free throw, but the offense stalled and did not score until Jordyn Marshall hit two free throws at the 2:18 mark. The Highlanders added a late basket, but the Roadrunners went on a 6-0 run to close out the quarter.
• Kaylani Polk got the scoring started for the Highlanders in the second, but that was after CSU Bakersfield score the first five points of the quarter. Polk then came down and had a great move to get free and made a contested layup cutting the lead to 16-9. A quick steal and fast break layup by Zoe Tillery cut the Roadrunners' lead to 18-14. Both teams would trade buckets, but the Roadrunners would take a 26-22 halftime lead. 
• The third quarter saw the Highlanders take the lead since they led 1-0, which came on a three by Seneca Hackely. Marshall would come down a couple of plays later and bury a three extending the Highlanders' lead to 34-30. Makayla Rose stole the ball on the next trip and Polk took it to the basket pushing the UCR lead to six and forcing the Roadrunners to call a timeout. The offensive production continued as Hackely would bury another three and give UCR a 41-30 lead. They went on a 10-2 run over a three minute stretch. Third quarters have generally been the toughest for UCR, but it outscored CSU Bakersfield 22-6 and took a 44-32 lead into the fourth. It looked like a different team than what fans saw in the first half. 
• The fourth quarter saw the offense start slow with UCR scoring only four points in the first five and half minutes of the quarter. Matarranz had a key steal and layup at the 2:05 mark to put the Highlanders up 56-44. Rose hit a layup late giving UCR a 60-45 lead and then Maya Chocano dribbled out the game and gave UCR the 60-48 win.

• "Tonight was a great win to protect our home court. Seneca and Esther delivered huge performances in the second half, and our team really found its flow after the break. Proud of how we came together and closed it out strong."

NOTABLES

• The victory gave the Highlanders their 700th win in program history.
• Hackley had a game and team high of 17 points.
• Chocano and Matarranz both grabbed double digit rebounds. Chocano's 12 boards was a new season and career high.

UP NEXT

• The Highlanders travel up to Northern California on Thursday, January 30 when they take on UC Davis. Game time is 6:00 p.m.