RIVERSIDE, Calif.- UCR hosted the Tritons of UC San Diego tonight at the SRC Arena in the second and final regular season meeting of the year. These two teams played a couple of weeks ago in La Jolla, and the Tritons won a nail-biter, 59-58. The Highlanders were down big in that game and roared back, outscoring the Tritons 16-3 in the fourth quarter and fell just short. Tonight it was all UCSD as the Highlanders fell 72-49. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter opened with a UCSD bucket, but then Zoe Tillery came back and hit a jumper to tie things up. UCSD came down and hit another jumper, but the Highlanders took a one point lead on a Makayla Rose three pointer. Both teams added another bucket before going scoreless for over a minute. The Tritons tied things up on a free throw and took the lead a minute later. Both teams went scoreless for over a minute until Jordyn Marshall hit a three to give UCR a 10-9 lead. At the end of the first, the game was tied at 12.
• The second quarter saw both teams trade baskets and with the game tied at 16, the Tritons got four quick points. The Highlanders climbed back in, but every time UCR got close UCSD went on a mini run. UCR tied the game at 27 on a three by Rose, but the Tritons answered with four quick points taking a 31-27 lead at half. 
• The third quarter has been a struggle for UCR this season and UCSD outscored UCR 17-10 to take a 48-37 lead at the end of three. The offense looked promising at the start as UCR keep deficit to just four. However, the Tritons went on an 11-3 run and took control of the game. After Seneca Hackley hit a second free throw UCR closed the gap to 44-35. After that not much offense from either team and the Tritons took a 48-37 lead to the fourth quarter. 
• UCR trailed by ten at the start of the fourth. The Tritons started on a 7-0 and did not look back. UCR stopped the run on a layup by Hackley, but UCSD went on a 7-2 run and eventually built up a 22 point lead. A three pointed by Hackley cut it to 19, but by that time the game was out of reach. With the win the Tritons took the season series and handed UCR a sixth conference loss.

NOTABLES

• Only two Highlanders in double figures tonight, Hackley and Rose.
• Shelley Duchemin led the team in rebounds with 7.

UP NEXT

• The Highlanders head to CSU Bakersfield to take on the Roadrunners on February 8 at 2 p.m.