Cedar City, Utah – UC Irvine picked up its first win of the season with a 63-58 victory over Southern Utah at the Centurm Arena Thursday.

The Anteaters (1-1) were led by senior Raelyn Cheung-Sutton with 15 points, a career-record 12 assists and career-tying six rebounds. Guard Irene Chavez recorded 14 points while forward Mokun Fajemisin added nine points, a team-high 10 rebounds and two blocks. Forward Shereen Sutherland totaled eight points and six boards and guard Paulina Santana had six points in the win.

Neither team shot well with the Anteaters going 23-68 (33.3%) and Southern Utah shooting 18-68 (26.5) from the floor. The Antetaers held a 53-50 advantage in rebounds.

Jessica Robinson recorded a double-double to lead Southern Utah (0-3) with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Emma Weinreich  had 14 points and seven rebounds.

After trailing 17-15 at the end of the first period, UCI took control of the second period, going up 25-18 on a Teirra Hicks jumper with 2:06 to play until halftime. Southern Utah would then out-score UCI 8-3 to close out the period with the Anteaters leading 28-26 at the intermission.

In the fourth period a pair of free throws by Tayla Jackson was followed by a layup by Cheung-Sutton at 2:16 to put UCI in front 53-50. A Thunderbird basket preceded seven straight points by the Anteaters, the last a baseline jumper by Mokun Fajemisin with 38 seconds remaining to give UCI the 60-56 lead. Emma Weinreich scored her third consecutive basket for SUU to pull within 60-58 with 31 seconds on the clock before Fajmisin hit a free throw and Chavez hit two with eight ticks left to end the scoring.