CSUN Drops Big West Opener Against UC Riverside

RIVERSIDE, Calif.---CSUN Women's Basketball fell to UC Riverside in its Big West opener, 78-42 Thursday night on the road at SRC Arena. Morgan Edwards would lead all Matador scorers with a career high 14 points, followed by Jenna Kilty with 13.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors (2-5, 0-1 Big West) opened the game with a layup by Yves Cox. Kilty would then hit a three and Edwards made a layup to bring the Matadors lead to five at 7-2. UC Riverside would then go on a 18-0 run to take a 20-7 lead at the 1:38 mark of the quarter before Cox two made free throws to end the run.

UC Riverside made a majority of its shots from the field in the first quarter. The Highlanders shot 63% from the floor in the period, making 12 of 19, ultimately ending the frame with a 27-9 lead.

In the second quarter, the Matadors shooting struggles continued as they were unable to hit a three pointer. The Matadors traded buckets ultimately cutting the lead to 35-15 thanks to an Edwards layup at the 5:31 mark. Edwards ended up with seven points in the half.

The CSUN defense did improve things going into the second quarter, holding UC Riverside to 33% shooting from the field. CSUN's defense was also impactful from distance as UC RIverside, despite its lead, only hit three three-point shots at the end of the half.

The score was 45-19 heading into the break.

2ND HALF

CSUN started to get things going on the offensive end in the third quarter as the Matadors wouldn't go down easy. Kilty hit back-to-back threes at the 6:58 mark as she would knock down three total in the quarter. Senior Erica Adams hit her first field goal at the 3:01 mark, as CSUN would go on to shoot 6-10 in the period. The Matadors had their highest scoring quarter as they ended with 18 in the third. However, UC Riverside would keep up with CSUN by scoring 17.

CSUN once again played good defense on the perimeter in the third, keeping the Highlanders to 20% shooting from deep.

In the fourth quarter Edwards got CSUN going as she got into double figures in scoring at the 6:32 mark with an-and-one basket, getting the lead to within 22 at 64-42. The junior guard would end up getting a fast break floating jump shot on the next possession to get the lead to 20. Although CSUN outscored UC Riverside for the second consecutive quarter at 11-10, the Matadors couldn't catch up on the scoreboard.

Defense continued to be a bright spot. After allowing 45 points in the first half, CSUN clamped down on the Highlanders in the second, allowing only 27 on 34% shooting. The Highlanders only hit one shot from deep in the entire half. The Highlander lead withheld, ultimately ending the scoring at 78-42.

Kilty shot the ball very well from distance, knocking down four threes on seven attempts.
Morgan Edwards scored 14 points, eclipsing her career high previously with Cal State Bakersfield, where she scored 13 three different times.
The Matadors held the Highlanders to 20% shooting from deep, their best opponent percentage on the season in that category.
Cox scored the opening bucket, and ended with nine points in her first career start.
CSUN outscored UC Riverside 29-27 in the second half.

UP NEXT:
CSUN returns home on Saturday as the Matadors will square off against the Cal Poly Mustangs at 2 p.m. at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Jill Painter-Lopez will be on the call on ESPN+.

CSUN Drops Big West Opener Against UC Riverside

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Team Stats

Morgan Edwards

Jenna Kilty

Yves Cox

Kayla Hopson

Players Mentioned

Erica Adams

Yves Cox

Morgan Edwards

Jenna Kilty

Players Mentioned

Erica Adams

Yves Cox

Morgan Edwards

Jenna Kilty