BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - UC Riverside headed north to Cal State Bakersfield to start its two game road trip. After a stellar first quarter the Highlanders held on to sweep the season series with the Roadrunners.
Hannah Wickstrom had a game high 24 points to lead all scorers and
Seneca Hackley added 15 points to lead UCR.
It was all UCR in the first as they outscored the Roadrunners 21-9, one of its best opening quarters all season. Wickstrom scored nine points in the first and
Maya Chocano added five. The Highlanders were off and running.
In the second, the Roadrunners offense started to click, scoring 18 points in the quarter. Back to back baskets by Hackley and
Taylor Swanson and the Highlanders went up 16. Then Cal State Bakersfield went on an 8-1 run and the UC Riverside lead was down to nine.
Kaylani Polk hit a three that got the lead back into double figures. The Roadrunners fought and cut the lead to five on a layup by Morgan Hawkins. Over the final minute plus of the half the Highlanders extended their lead back to nine as
Bria Shine hit a jumper with five seconds left.
In the third Bakersfield got the lead down to two. They chipped away for the first half of the quarter and after a jumper by Wickstrom that gave UCR a 45-41 lead neither team scored for the next three minutes. Hackley scored four points in the final two minutes for UCR and heading into the fourth the Highlanders held a tight 49-43 lead.
In the fourth quarter the Highlanders went scoreless for the first two plus minutes, until
Lucia Moreno Tallon hit a jumper that put UCR up by five. Then the Highlanders went on a 9-2 run of their own and went up by ten. Over the next four minutes the Highlanders only scored one point and that ten point lead went to one. Three free throws by Hackley sealed it for UC Riverside.
With the win the Highlanders are inching closer to earning a bid in the Big West Conference Tournament in March.
Up next, the Highlanders continue their road trip to UC Davis to take on the Aggies this Saturday. Game time is 2PM.
