The University of California, Riverside Highlanders women’s basketball team started their 2026-27 campaign emphatically with an 83-40 home victory over the Occidental Tigers on November 3 at SRC Arena in Riverside, California.
Freshman guard/forward Graecyn Parahi of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, led the Highlanders with 19 points, including five three-pointers, in her collegiate debut. UC Riverside quickly took control by outscoring Occidental 22-9 in the first quarter and held a 35-20 lead at halftime.
The Highlanders surged further with a dominant 23-8 run in the third quarter, highlighted by Parahi’s timely long-range shooting. Guard Kaylani Polk contributed 12 points to help UC Riverside extend their advantage in the fourth quarter, securing the convincing win.
UC Riverside improves to 1-0 and will face Seattle on the road on November 6 as they look to build on this strong start to the season.
CSB Take
UC Riverside’s strong season opener promises growth under coach Brad Langston, combining a mix of new talent and effective team play. Graecyn Parahi’s standout debut from beyond the arc immediately adds scoring depth for the Highlanders. If they maintain consistent execution and defensive intensity, UC Riverside could be a competitive presence in the Big West Conference this year.
Source: Original report
More coverage: UC Riverside Highlanders.
