IRVINE, Calif. – Senior Irene Chavez orchestrated UC Irvine's late rally as the 'Eaters cut a 20-point deficit down to single digits in the fourth quarter before ultimately running out of time in a 73-60 loss to Hawai'i Thursday evening at the Bren Events Center.
"Today was a rough one – we had good momentum, but we just didn't come out ready to go as hard as we needed to in the first half," UCI head coach Tamara Inoue said. "We knew it was going to be a battle and credit to Hawai'i, they did a great job."
Chavez, who had 14 of her game and season-high 22 points in the second half, went 7-for-12 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. It was her fourth career 20-point outing and was just two shy of her career-best (24), which she established as a sophomore in 2015.
Freshman Brooke Bayman extended her streak of double-figure scoring games to four with 11 points. She also had a team-best four assists. Senior Shereen Sutherland nearly had her fifth double-double as she finished with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while classmate Brittany Glassow chipped in five points and four boards.
The Anteaters shot 40.7 percent on the night and were 6-of-18 from 3-point range. They committed only nine turnovers, but were outrebounded, 44-25. The Rainbow Wahine also found their stroke from long distance with 10 threes.
"Rebounding has been a problem all season long," Inoue said. "When you play a zone, you're bound to give up more offensive boards, but it's just ripping the ball and grabbing it that has been a challenge for us. Shereen, as athletic as she is, gets up there, but she needs help. Other people need to rebound and that's something Brittany has been doing for us lately."
UC Irvine (4-23, 2-11 Big West) took an early 4-0 lead on back-to-back jumpers from Glassow and senior Mckenzie Piper. Hawai'i then scored five unanswered, before Glassow knocked down a corner three to put UCI on top, 7-5, at the 6:15 mark. The 'Bows came right back with a 17-5 run to pull ahead, 22-12, with 1:58 remaining. Sutherland eventually scored the final bucket with 24.7 seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to 22-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The 'Eaters opened the second period on a 5-0 spurt, capped by a three-point play from Chavez, to make it 22-19 with 7:28 left to play. UH would hit a triple before Chavez's jumper brought the home team back within four at the 3:27 mark. The Anteaters then went cold as they were held scoreless for the rest of the half and trailed 34-21 at the break.
Hawai'i (9-17, 5-9 Big West) kept the momentum early in the third frame as it took its largest lead of the night at 45-25 with 7:13 remaining. A couple of Chavez free throws then started an 8-1 run that closed the gap to 46-33 at the 5:32 mark. The Rainbow Wahine pushed their advantage back to 18, but UC Irvine continued to stay in it and Chavez drained a three with 24 seconds left to account for the 55-41 third period score.
It went back-and-forth early in the fourth quarter until Chavez and sophomore Andee Ritter each connected from behind the arc to jump start a 10-2 rally that made it 62-54 with 5:52 to go. Although the 'Eaters continued to attack, the 'Bows had an answer as they also hit big shots down the stretch, allowing them to hold on for the 73-60 victory.
Leah Salanoa anchored the Rainbow Wahine effort with a team-best 20 points on a 6-of-11 performance from long distance. Sarah Toeaina added 14 points (7-10 FG) and five assists.
UC Irvine will now make the short trip to Long Beach State on Saturday, Feb. 25, for a 4 p.m. tilt with the 49ers.
NOTES: Irene Chavez is the third 'Eater to register a 20-point game this season … She has three-straight double-digit outings and is averaging 17.0 ppg during that stretch … Chavez also now has 93 career 3-pointers as she passed Rebecca Maessen for No. 9 on the UCI all-time charts … Over the last four games, Brooke Bayman is averaging 13.0 points and 5.8 assists … Andee Ritter has hit a three in each of the last six contests … She increased her single-season school record total to 73 … UC Irvine had single-digit turnovers for the third time this year … The 'Eaters previously committed a season-low five at UC Davis (Feb. 11) and six at Nevada (Dec. 1) … The team wore their pink uniforms as part of their Think Pink game in honor of Breast Cancer awareness … They also honored a member of the Anteater Family, Pat, who is a survivor, with a special game ball delivery.
