With the victory, UC Riverside won its third game in a row and improved to 3-6. The loss dropped Sacramento State to a program-worst 0-10.

UC Riverside extended its 30-20 halftime lead by scoring the first 12 points of the second half to take a commanding 42-20 lead with 15:25 to play. The Hornets chipped away at the deficit but could get no closer than within 11 points of the Highlander lead the rest of the way.

Sacramento State shot just 35.8 percent (19-53) from the field while committing 26 turnovers. The Hornets were also outrebounded, 49-38, as UC Riverside grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and converted on numerous second-chance opportunities.

Casandra Reeves led UC Riverside with 13 points while Crystal Harris chipped in 10 to round out the Highlanders in double-figure points. Stephanie Hughes added eight points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. UC Riverside shot just 35.3 percent (24-68) from the field, but attempted 15 more shots than the Hornets.

Sacramento State was led by Danielle Iceman’s game-high 14 points as the sophomore finished 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. Sophomore Alyson Thurman led the Hornets in rebounding for the fifth-consecutive game, finishing with seven. Sophomore Sydney Gatson and senior Lori Kerswell each finished with eight points.

Sacramento State missed its first seven shots of the game and trailed, 8-1, with 14:43 remaining in the first half. UC Riverside extended its lead to 18-6 at the 9:48 mark. Both teams exchanged baskets the rest of the period as the Highlanders went into the half with a 30-20 lead.

Hornet freshman guard Tamica Estrella scored a career-high seven points on 2-of-2 shooting from the floor (including one three-pointer) and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.

Sacramento State plays the second and third games of its three-game homestand next week against Army (Monday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m.) and Gonzaga (Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 7:05 p.m.).