RIVERSIDE, Calif.- The Highlanders returned to the SRC Arena for their second game of the year against the UC Davis Aggies. It the first meeting the Aggies topped the Highlanders, 52-41 as Shelley Duchemin led the way with 12 points. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Highlanders and the Aggies had an even first quarter with the score tied at 12. UCR struck first on a steal and layup by Kaylani Polk and the the Aggies answered quickly after. UC Davis jumped out to a 7-2 lead before Seneca Hackley hit a jumper to bring UCR closer at 7-4. The Aggies then took a 9-4 lead, and a Hackley layup cut the lead to 9-6. The Highlanders ended the quarter on an 8-3 run, capped off by a three pointed by Hannah Wickstrom.
• In the second the Highlanders went back and forth with the Aggies and the game was tied at 16 early on. UC Davis got a quick four points and took a 20-16 lead, but a Hackley three pulled UCR to closer to 20-19. Both offenses didn't score for close to two minutes until an Aggies' three pointer extended their lead to 25-19. Polk answered right after with a three of her own and UCR found themselves trailing by three at the half, 25-22. 
• In the third quarter, which had been a struggle all year, the Highlanders found some offense. The Aggies struck first pushing their lead to 27-22, but Makayla Rose hit a three pointer cutting the lead to two. UC Davis answered and took a 39-25 lead. Then the offense for UCR woke up and they went on a 14-5 run to close out the third. Wickstrom lead they way on the fun scoring six points and Hackley chipped in with four. The Highlanders took a 39-34 lead into the fourth.
• The Aggies made a layup to start the fourth and cut the Highlanders' lead to 39-36. Wickstrom answered with a layup of her own and pushed the UCR lead back up to five. A beautiful drive and dish from Hackley to Gemma Cutler increased the Highlanders' lead to 43-39. The Aggies got a bucket and the Highlanders' lead was 43-41. UC Davis extended their run to 6-0 and took a 45-43 lead forcing UCR to call a time out at the seven minute mark. The run ended on a pair of free throws by Hackley tying the game at 45. At the final media timeout of the game, the Aggies led by one. Every time each team scored the other answered and at the three minute mark the game was tied at 49. The Highlanders held a slim one point lead in the final minute of the game. A great move and finish for Hackley increased UCR's lead to three with 15 seconds left in regulation. With 2.4 on the clock UCR led by one and Hackley went to the line and secured the win for the Highlanders, 55-53. 

• "Really proud of our gutsy win at home. Our defense kept us in it during the first half, and we found our offensive groove in the second. Hannah Wickstrom and Seneca Hackley came up big with some clutch shot-making tonight."

• Hackley led the way with 20 points for UCR and Wickstrom added 17.
• Esther Matarranz led UCR with eight boards.
• The Highlanders avenged an earlier loss to UC Davis and pull to .500 in conference play.

UP NEXT

• The Highlanders travel up the California coast to UC Santa Barbara to take on the Gauchos on Saturday, February 15 at 4:00 p.m.