NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -  The Highlanders hit the road for the final time in the regular season headed to CSUN. UCR, already in the tournament, is coming off a solid win over Hawai'i last week and looked to keep the momentum up. The Matadors struggled this year and entered the game on a seven-game losing streak.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UCR got out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game. CSUN struck back with a couple of layups to trail by one. Both teams traded baskets and eventually the Matadors took a 13-11 lead. Zoe Tillery hit a big three to give the Highlanders a 14-13 edge and a couple of Esther Matarranz free throws pushed the lead to 16-13. With the game tied at 16, Hannah Wickstrom hit a three to untie it and give UCR a 19-16 lead. The Matadors ended the first on a 7-0 run and a 23-19 lead.
• CSUN started the second quarter with a three and a 26-19 lead. The Highlanders went on a 9-0 run of their own to take a 28-26 lead. CSUN came down on its next possession to tie it up and proceeded on a 9-1 run, but would end the half on a 12-3 run and a 38-31 halftime lead.
• The third started with baskets by both teams, but a scoring drought of nearly three minutes played out. Makayla Rose ended the drought as her layup pulled UCR to within six. Another layup by Rose followed by one by Wickstrom and the Highlanders were down by only two. The Matadors finished the third quarter on a 9-4 run and held a 50-41 lead.
• The fourth, things tightened up. Rose started the quarter with a layup cutting the lead to 51-43. Every time the Highlanders climbed back into it, CSUN found away to get the lead back to a three possession game. With a 1:50 left in the game CSUN held a seven-point lead and looked to be in control. The Highlanders had other plans. Kaylani Polk found Rose, who buried a three cutting it to a four-point deficit. Rose took over the last couple of minutes of regulation as she was all the offense the Highlanders needed. Her three pointed with eight seconds left tied the game at 65 and UCR had a chance to win it in regulation.
• Free basketball as the game entered OT. Rose kept the offense going, scoring UCR's first six points. She took over the period, propelling the Highlanders to the 77-74 win.

NOTABLES

• Rose ended up with a game high of 31 pts on 12-22 from the floor. She also led the team in threes, going 3-6 from distance.
• The Highlanders improved to 1-1 in overtime games.

UP NEXT

• The Highlanders return to the SRC on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. game against Cal State Fullerton. It will be Senior Night so come out and support the Highlanders.