RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — Cal State Northridge held off UC Riverside 58-53 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at UCR Rec Center.

The Matadors used a decisive 20-point third quarter to pull away after trailing by two at halftime. UC Riverside’s Hannah Wickstrom led all scorers with 23 points, but Cal State Northridge’s Rita Nazario scored 16, including a critical late 3-pointer. The Matadors’ defense was pivotal, forcing 14 turnovers and converting them into 16 points while holding the Highlanders to 30.3% shooting from the floor.

Cal State Northridge improved to 8-14 overall. UC Riverside fell to 7-16.