San Luis Obispo, Calif. – Jacquelyn Marshall hit the eventual game-winning jumper with 19 seconds left as UC Irvine edged Cal Poly, 62-60 at Mott Gym Saturday.

UCI, who has won four in a row, sweep the central coast teams for the first time in five years. The Anteaters improve to 8-10 overall and 4-2 in the Big West. Cal Poly suffers its first Big West loss (3-1) and are 6-10 overall.

Cal Poly would score the first six points of the second half to tie the score at 34-34 with 18:19 remaining. A layup and three-pointer by McCalister was followed by a basket by Jasmine Bernard in the paint to put the Anteaters back on top 41-34 at 16:54. The Mustangs would return the favor and score the next seven to knot the score at 41-41 then used another seven point streak to take their largest lead of the game, 53-48 at 9:30. UCI narrowed the deficit to 53-52 on a Cheyenne Cathey basket at 8:16 but didn't score again until Anete Klintsone hit a free throw with 4:16 to close the gap to 57-53. Baskets down low by Kiara Belen and Methlyn Onogomuho tied the score at 57-57 with 2:44 left. A UCI turnover led to a Cal Poly fast break and layup by Jonae Ervin (59-57) that was followed by another basket underneath by Onogomuho at 57.0 (59-59). A steal by Kiara Belen gave UCI the ball back and Jacquelyn Marshall knocked down a free throw line jumper with 19 seconds remaining to put the Anteaters ahead 62-59. Cal Poly's Kristina Santiago was fouled on the next possession with 9.1 on the clock. She missed the first and made the second to close UCI's lead to 61-60. Cal Poly had to foul three times to get the Anteaters to the free throw line where Kelly Meggs stepped with six seconds left. She hit the first (62-60) and made the second, but UCI was called for a lane violation erasing the point. As Cal Poly tried to inbound the ball, Klintsone hustled to intercept the pass and was fouled immediately after her steal. She missed the one-and-one opportunity giving Cal Poly one last chance with 5.5 left on the clock. UCI had a foul to give and fouled with one second on the clock leaving Kristina Santiago only time to attempt a length of the court toss that missed as time expired.

Senior guard Kassandra McCalister led UCI with 16 points, hitting 7-17 from the floor including two three-pointers. McCalister also added four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Junior guard Anete Klintsone recorded 13 points and six rebounds, while senior guard Kiara Belen had nine points and five boards. Freshman Methlyn Onogomuho totaled eight points and six rebounds, while sophomore forward Jacquelyn Marshall  added six points and a team-high eight rebounds, including seven on the defensive glass.  Sophomore guard Kelly Meggs recorded six points and three assists, while Cheyenne Cathey and Jasmine Bernard added two points each.

Each team hit five three-pointers and UCI held a slim 39-38 advantage in rebounds. The teams were similar shooting from the floor with Cal Poly at 41 percent (25-61) and UCI at 39.3 percent (24-61). The Anteaters shot 46.2 percent (12-26) in the second half.

Cal Poly's Kristina Santiago led all players with 21 points and 10 rebounds. She also had four assists, two blocks and three steals. Ashlee Burns hit four three-pointers for 12 points and Caroline Reeves and Kayla Griffin each added nine points in the loss.

UC Irvine returns home to host cross-county rival Cal State Fullerton Wednesday (Jan. 18) at 7:00 p.m. in the Bren Center.

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