LONG BEACH, Calif.- UC Riverside traveled up to the Walter Pyramid for the second meeting of the season with Long Beach State. Earlier in the year the Beach topped the Highlanders, 63-48 as UCR shot under 30% from the floor. Makayla Rose had one of her best games of the year dropping 19 points on 8-17 from the floor. She was the only Highlander in double figures.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter started with an flurry of scoring as each team scored 21 points. The Beach started the game on a 7-0 run and held UCR scoreless for nearly two minutes. A layup by Rose and UCR was on the board. A couple of possessions later Seneca Hackley hit a three and that quick, UCR trailed by only two. The Beach came back and eventually took a 17-11 lead. UCR went on a 10-4 run of its own to tie the game at 21. Hackley led UCr in scoring with seven. 
• In the second each team matched each other in baskets, and then Maya Chocano hit a three to give UCR its first lead of the game, 31-28. The Beach went on a 6-0 run and took a 34-31 lead. Rose came back and hit back-to-back layups giving UCR a 35-34 lead. After two free throws by Hackley the Highlanders' lead grew to, 37-34. UCR would maintain the lead, but only by one at the half.
• The third quarter saw UCR extend its lead with its largest margin being eight points. Then the Beach chipped away at it and eventually cut the lead to 48-46. The Highlanders got back on track and built their lead to four, but the Beach hit a three and cut it to one. With under two minutes to go in the period, Long Beach State took the lead back, 51-50. Shelley Duchemin then hit a layup and put UCR back on top, 52-51. Again Long Beach State came back and took a 55-52 lead at the end of three. At the end of the third, Hackley and Rose were the only Highlanders in double figures.
• Trailing at the start of the fourth, UCR cut the lead to two. Then Long Beach State went on a 5-0 and had a 60-53 lead at the first stoppage. It looked like the game was going to get away from the Highlanders, but that changed as they went on a 10-2 run and suddenly found themselves up by one at the five-minute mark. The Beach had a 68-67 lead with less than two minutes to go. The Beach lead grew to three with under a minute to go in regulation. A late turnover and bucket and Long Beach State's lead increased to 72-67. UCR got it to five on a layup by Duchemin, but that's how it ended. Long Beach State got the 75-69 win.

NOTABLES

• Long Beach State took both games in the series and snapped UCR's modest two game win streak.
• Hackley led the Highlanders in scoring with 17 points. She was one of three Highlanders in double figures.
• Long Beach State outscored UCR in the paint 40-30 and out rebounded UCR 36-25.
• UCR shot 44% from the floor including 38% from distance.

UP NEXT

• UC Riverside heads home for a matinee against Cal Poly. Game time is 1:00 p.m., on February 22.