First Half Drought Stymies UC Irvine's Season Opener
November 09, 2012 | Women's Basketball
Santa Clara, Calif. -- UC Irvine was held scoreless for six minutes in the first half helping Santa Clara break away early and go on to a 77-54 victory in the season opener for both teams at the Leavey Center Friday.
Santa Clara led 20-16 with 10:00 minutes remaining in the first half before the Broncos scored 18 unanswered to break open a 38-16 advantage at the 4:07 mark. Santa Clara would lead 47-26 at halftime, shooting 60 percent (18-30) from the field.. The Anteaters would get no closer than 16 points the rest of the game.
Junior guard Jennifer Tsurumoto had a team-high 17 points in her Anteater debut. She went 5-11 from the field, hitting three three-pointers. Sophomore forward Camille Buckley totaled 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Methlyn Onogomuho added five points, seven rebounds and two steals, while senior forward Cheyenne Cathey had five points and three rebounds. Senior forward Pernilla Hanson grabbed a career-high six rebounds.
The Anteaters shot just 28.8 percent (17-59) from the floor and 63.6 percent (14-22) from the free throw line. UCI out-rebounded Santa Clara, 41-32 and hit six three-pointers to SCU's 3.
Santa Clara was led by Meagan Fulps with a game-high 23 points. Arteivia Lilomaiava had nine points followed by Lindsay Leo, Ruta Zurauskyte and Ashley Armstrong who scored eight points apiece. The Broncos had the hot-hand shooting 50.9 percent (28-55) from the field and 90 percent from the charity stripe.
UCI remains on the road, traveling to San Diego State Wednesday (Nov. 14) for a 7:00 p.m. game at the Viejas Arena.
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