RIVERSIDE, Calif.—UC Riverside (4-3) defeated Bakersfield (2-4) 85-66 in women's basketball play Tuesday night.

The Highlanders used a 17-2 run midway through the first half to take a 42-24 halftime lead. UC Riverside were 54.5% (18-of-33) from the field in the opening frame while limiting the 'Runners to 23.5% (8-of-34) shooting in the first half. The Highlanders scored 15 of their first half points off of 10 Bakersfield turnovers. Bakersfield was held without a field goal for 10:24 (the final 5:09 of the first half, the first 5:15 of the second half).

Riverside opened its largest lead of the game, 54-27 with 15:09 to play, but the Roadrunners would chip away at the Highlanders' advantage. Making use of the use of 16 more attempts at the free throw line in the second half, the 'Runners would get to within 14 down the stretch, but a Tahvia Morrison three-pointer with 1:42 to go put it away for the Highlanders.

For the game, UCR would shoot 57.8% (37-of-64) compared to 27.9 (19-of-68) for CSUB. The Roadrunners would go to the charity stripe 28 times, making 23 attempts. The Highalnders were 5-of-10 from the free throw line.

"When your shooting as poorly as we did tonight, you aren't going to win very many basketball games," said Bakersfield head coach Greg McCall. "We played good enough defense, but you are not going to prevent a good team from scoring. We can't rely on Ty (Outland) to score for us every night. We were aggressive, attacked the rim and got to the free throw line. We were able to take that from tonight."

Tyonna Outland (R-Jr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) would lead all scorers for Bakersfield as she had 22. Nathasha Hadley scored 21 to pace UC Riverside.

The Roadrunners continue a four-game road trip Saturday at Cal Poly. Tip is set for 5 p.m.

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