RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Highlanders hosted Gonzaga this afternoon in the first of two remaining home games in 2025. Looking to bounce back off a tough loss at Utah, UCR competed for four quarters yet suffered its ninth loss of the year. The Bulldogs held on in the end, 68-62.

Hannah Wickstrom led the Highlanders with 22 points and Seneca Hackley chipped in 18. Both players shot a combined 17-33 from the floor including 3-8 from distance. Kaylani Polk added six assists, which was a new career high for the sophomore guard.

The big difference in this afternoon's game was the free throw discrepancy. Gonzaga was 16-23 from the charity stripe and UCR was only 3-5. All the free throws came from Wickstrom.

The game turned for the Bulldogs when they made four free throws and made a layup within ten seconds in the fourth quarter. Gonzaga was awarded the free throws off a common foul and flagrant on the same play.  

The final game of the calendar year will be on December 30 when UC Merced rolls into the SRC Arena for a 2PM start.