IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team was dominant in its season opener as it cruised to a 105-31 victory over Life Pacific College Wednesday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
"It was a good game today as far as getting our rotations and running the way we want to run," UCI head coach Tamara Inoue said. "Everyone played 17 or more minutes with the exception of Brooke. A balanced attack is what we're trying for, and today was a good test to show that and get the confidence behind our players."
 
The Anteaters (1-0) shot 51.2 percent from the floor en route to their third 100-point game since Feb. 3, 2018.
 
UCI also held a 52-26 advantage on the glass, while forcing the Warriors into 36 turnovers with a single-game program-record 25 steals.
 
Senior Sabrina Engelstad registered her second career double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. She was 7-of-9 from the field and 4-for-5 from the free throw line. Sophomore Jordan Sanders added a game-high 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting.
 
Sophomore Alexus Seaton notched a career-high 14 points (6-of-8) to go along with six boards and three steals. Sophomore Tahlia Garza added 13 points and nine rebounds, and classmate Haleigh Talbert had 12 points. Senior Andee Ritter chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and six steals.
 
Junior Lauren Saiki had a solid all-around game with seven points, five assists and five steals against only two turnovers. Junior Brooke Bayman also finished with six points and five assists.
 
"Sabrina played fantastic and this is a confidence booster for her just from all her hard work over the summer," Inoue added. "Jordan is consistent as always, and getting six players in double figures is what we want. I'm proud of the whole team tonight. It was really good for us to play under the lights and get a balanced attack."
 
UC Irvine wasted no time getting into its offensive rhythm as it raced out to a 16-0 lead following back-to-back layups from Bayman and Seaton. Life Pacific then got on the board with a free throw at the 5:38 mark, but the Anteaters proceeded to go on an 8-2 run to pull ahead 24-3 with 2:39 left in the first quarter. They eventually closed out the period with a 29-7 advantage.
 
The 'Eaters increased their margin to 28 (40-12) on a Talbert 3-pointer with 6:50 to play in the second quarter. The Warriors went on a mini 5-2 spurt before UCI used a 14-5 rally over the final five minutes for a 54-20 cushion at the half.
 
UC Irvine continued to roll in the third frame where it outscored Life Pacific, 31-1. A three-point play from Sanders started a 20-0 run that put the Anteaters up, 74-20. After an LPC free throw, UCI would push its lead to 85-21 before the buzzer.
 
The 'Eaters tacked on 20 more points in the fourth quarter for the 105-31 victory.
 
Samantha Custodio led Life Pacific College with 16 points. The Warriors shot just 25 percent from the field.
 
UC Irvine returns to the friendly confines of the Bren Events Center next week when it hosts UNLV on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine's 74-point win is tied for the second-largest margin of victory in program history.
• The 'Eaters previously defeated UC Santa Cruz by 85 (11/23/79) and 74 (1/10/76).
• After going 39 years without a 100-point game, UCI has reached the century mark three times since February, 2018.
• The one point allowed in tonight's third quarter is a school record, beating the previous mark of three, which was set at Bakersfield (2Q) last year.
• The Anteaters won their season opener for the second-straight year. It is the first time they have won back-to-back openers since 2001-02 and 2002-03.
• Their 105 points were the most they have scored in a season opener since dropping 107 vs. UC Santa Cruz on Nov. 23, 1979.
• UC Irvine improved to 14-3 when sophomore Jordan Sanders reaches double figures in scoring.
• Sabrina Engelstad had her first double-double since Nov. 25, 2016.