AZUSA, Calif. – UC Riverside's speed and athleticism proved to be too much for Azusa Pacific as the Highlanders wore down the Cougars for a 79-64 nonconference victory in Azusa Tuesday night.

Junior Camille Berket, a transfer from Mt. SAC, recorded her third double-double of the season, tallying 17 points and game-high 11 rebounds to lead UCR. Freshman center Stephanie Hughes dropped in a team-high 18 points to go along with 8 boards.

UCR crushed Azusa Pacific on the glass, out-rebounding the Cougars, 55-38. They even beat the Cougars on their own end, collecting 29 offensive boards to Azusa Pacific's 23 defensive grabs. As a result, the Highlanders tallied 20 second-chance points. Former Arlington High standout Presley Weir came off the bench to score 14 points to go along with 9 rebounds, including 6 offensive grabs.

Azusa Pacific was paced by junior guard Kelly Speas, who tossed in 18 points but committed 3 turnovers, partly explaining why UCR out-scored Azusa Pacific 20-4 on points off of turnovers.

Azusa Pacific entered the game having held 3 of its past 4 opponents to less than 30% shooting from the floor. But that wasn't the case tonight. UCR made 10 of its first 17 shots to jump out to 21-14 lead 10 minutes into the game. Coupled with a pressure defense that held Azusa Pacific to just 39% (13-for-33) shooting and 7 turnovers in the first half, the Highlanders expanded their lead to 13 points at 31-18 before Azusa Pacific was able to whittle the lead down to 9 (40-31) at the half.

The Cougars pulled to within 5 at 42-37 less than 3 minutes into the second half. However, Berkett converted a 3-point play and then capped a 7-2 Highlander mini-run with a lay-up that put UCR back up by 10 at 49-39 with 15:58 left in the game. Hughes then single-handedly put the game out of reach scoring 8 points during a 16-7 run that put the Highlanders out of reach at 77-57 with 3:26 left to play.

The loss snaps Azusa Pacific's 7-game winning streak, while UCR wins its fifth straight. Additionally, the victory is UCR's fifth straight over Azusa Pacific and now hasn't lost to the Cougars since 1983.

The Highlanders improve to 7-4 on the season, while Azusa Pacific falls to 9-2.