Irvine, Calif. – Kassandra McCalister poured in a career-high 36 points to lead UC Irvine to a 72-65 victory over UC Santa Barbara Saturday at the Bren Center.
The win completes the season sweep of the Gauchos for the first time since the 1987-88 season.
McCalister, a senior guard, hit five three-pointers and went 15-16 from the free throw line on her way to her career-best 36 points. Her 36 points is tied for the second most by a Big West player this season, while her 15 made free throws and 16 attempts is the most by a Big West player this year. She also recorded a team-high five assists and three steals. Junior guard Anete Klintsone totaled 14 points, going 5-8 from the floor including 4-6 from three-point territory. Junior forward Cheyenne Cathey added six points, while freshman forward Methlyn Onogomuho and sophomore forward Jacquelyn Marshall each added five points.
The Anteaters hit a season-high 12 three-pointers and were 20-26 from the free throw line, while UCSB was 9-11 from the charity stripe.
The Gauchos were led by Kirsten Tilleman with 16 points and nine rebounds followed by Sweets Underwood with 10 points and six boards. UCSB out-rebounded UCI 29-27.
UC Santa Barbara started the game with the 7-2 advantage and continued to lead 12-7 before Kassandra McCalister scored eight straight to put UCI ahead 15-12. UCI went on 7-0 run to open a 24-16 lead on a pair of McCalister free throws at 8:54. Pacific closed within 34-32 on a jumper by Destini Mason with 57 seconds remaining in the half, but UCI would score the final five points to go into the intermission leading 39-32.
The Anteaters led 53-41 with 12:00 minutes left in the game before UC Santa Barbara went on an 11-0 run to narrow the deficit to 53-52. The Gauchos tied the game at 57-57 on a layup by Sweets Underwood at 5:06 then took their first lead of the game since the 12:56 mark of the first half, 58-57, on an Angelei Aguirre free throw at 4:43. McCalister then drained a three-pointer on the next possession (3:43) and would record six of UCI's next eight points to open a 69-58 lead with 2:02 to play. UCSB would get no closer than six the rest of the game.
UCI goes to 12-15 overall and 8-6 in the Big West on Senior Night where they honored McCalister and Kiara Belen. UCSB falls to 11-14 on the year and 5-7 in the Big West.
UCI travels to Cal State Fullerton next Saturday (Feb. 25) for a 3:00 p.m. game in Titan Gym.
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