Norris, Sussex lead the way as Aggie women crush UC Riverside in Big West basketball action
UCD never trails as Aggies hold onto third place in the standings
RIVERSIDE - Coming off a critical road win Thursday night over previously unbeaten UC San Diego, it would have been easy for the Aggie women to have a letdown when they lined up at UC Riverside Saturday afternoon before a gathering of 160 at SRC Arena.
Such was not to be the case, as the Aggies ran their Big West basketball mark to 7-2 and 14-6 overall, while dropping UCR to 4-5 and 6-13.
Picking up where they left off Thursday night, the Aggies raced out to a 10-0 lead and dominated the Highlanders for three solid quarters before taking their foot off the gas down the stretch in an 81-68 win.
The game was much more lopsided than the final score might indicate.
Avery Sussex scored the first five points of the game on a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws, then Nya Epps followed from long range, Tegan Young had a bucket and the rout was on.
Riverside was held scoreless for nearly four minutes as UCD led 26-10 at the quarter and 50-26 at halftime.
A basket by Emmy Ersdala gave the Aggies their biggest lead of the night at 62-32 midway through the third quarter.
To no one’s surprise, Megan Norris recorded yet another double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds while converting 8 of 10 from the field.
Sussex matched Norris with 21 points, including 4 of 5 from 3-point land. Sussex also had four assists and three steals.
Ryann Bennett contributed 12 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Nya Epps had 10 points.
UCD finished with 53.7 percent from the field, including 42.9 percent from long range.
After four straight road games, the Aggies come home Thursday night for a 6 p.m. battle with Cal State Northridge, then host Cal State Bakersfield Saturday at 2 p.m.
In other Big West action Saturday, UC Santa Barbara dropped Long Beach State, 72-56, Hawaii beat Cal State Northridge, 64-55, Cal State Fullerton crushed Cal Poly, 73-41, and UC San Diego edged UC Irvine, 68-66, knotting those two atop the league standings, both at 8-1.
Did you really say only 160 people were in the stadium? Why so few? Seems kind of sad.