RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside took on UC San Diego tonight at the SRC Arena as the Highlanders looked to build off their big win a couple of days prior at UC Santa Barbara. The Tritons entered the game atop the Big West Conference standings and the Highlanders held on to the seventh spot.

It was a slow start for both teams in the first quarter, as 16 total points were scored. The Highlanders only scored six points and their first basket came at the 6:00 mark when Bria Shine broke through. Then over the next two minutes the Highlanders struggled until Seneca Hackley hit a three making it 9-6 UCSD.

In the second, the offenses heated up. The Tritons outscored the Highlanders 21-17 in the frame. The Triton lead grew to seven twice and each time the Highlanders were able to keep the deficit manageable. UCSD closed the half on a 12-4 capped off by a three pointer as time expired. 

In the third the offenses kept it up. Everytime the Highlanders crept back into it, the Tritons were able to maintain their lead. The closest UCR came was four points before UCSD started to pull away. UCSD ended the third on an 8-2 run. 

The Highlanders entered the fourth down by 13 and within the first two minutes of the quarter UCSD built a 17 point lead. It was there that UCR started to climb back into it. Over the next 2:30 the Highlanders cut the lead to five. They were in striking distance but the Tritons extended their lead to ten and didn't look back. Both teams traded baskets and UCSD made free throws late to secure a 79-68 win.

Up next the Highlanders travel to Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday night with game time at 6:30PM. Read Full Article