IRVINE, Calif. - Senior Andee Ritter broke a single-game school record with eight 3-pointers made in UC Irvine's 73-57 victory over Cal Poly Saturday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.
 
Ritter finished with a game and season-high 24 points, to go along with five steals, four assists and no turnovers. She knocked down her record-breaking eighth triple with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. It topped the previous best of seven, which she held along with Katie Curtis (2004) and Kathy Lizarraga (1989).

"Great shooters never stop shooting; Andee is a great shooter and it's no surprise to see her continue to break records," head coach Tamara Inoue said. "I couldn't be more proud of her effort and the team's commitment to continue to cheer for each other."
 
Sophomore Jordan Sanders added 20 points on a 9-for-16 shooting performance. Sophomore Haleigh Talbert was also 5-of-7 from the field and 4-for-5 from long distance for a career-high tying 14 points. Talbert chipped in four assists and two steals. Junior Lauren Saiki dished out a game-high six assists.
 
Overall, the Anteaters (13-4, 3-2 Big West) shot 42.9 percent and were even better from 3-point range where they connected on 44.1 percent of their attempts. They tied a single-game school record with 15 threes, and had 20 assists on 27 made field goals. The 'Eaters were extremely active on the defensive end as well, forcing the Mustangs into 32 turnovers.
 
It was a back-and-forth affair early on with six lead changes and two ties over the first three-and-a-half minutes. Talbert then knocked down a 3-pointer to break a 9-9 deadlock, and Ritter followed with a triple of her own to put UC Irvine up, 15-9, at the 4:58 mark. The Anteaters continued to roll as they closed out the first quarter on a 13-2 run for a 22-11 lead.
 
The 'Eaters would keep a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. In the second period, UCI pulled ahead 27-13 on a three from Saiki with 8:35 remaining. Cal Poly answered with back-to-back buckets but Talbert's third trey of the afternoon put the home team on top, 30-17. UC Irvine stayed out front and took a 34-22 lead into halftime.
 
The Mustangs (4-13, 1-5 Big West) struck first in the third frame, but the Anteaters responded with a 12-4 run, capped by another 3-pointer from Ritter, to increase their cushion to 46-28 at the 5:56 mark. The 'Eaters would hit two more threes, one from Talbert and one from sophomore Dani Guglielmo, before the end of the period for a 53-35 lead.
 
UCI never let up in the fourth quarter, going up by as many as 23 en route to the 73-57 win.
 
Alicia Roufosse paced Cal Poly with 11 points, while Hana Vesela and Devin Stanback had 10 each. Stanback added seven rebounds and four assists. The Mustangs shot 58 percent from the field, but were just 2-for-8 from beyond the arc and 9-of-18 at the free throw line.
 
UC Irvine returns to the hardwood next Thursday, Jan. 31, when it welcomes UC Santa Barbara to the Bren Events Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
NOTES
• Andee Ritter set a single-game school record in 3-pointers made (8) and attempted (21).
• She increased her career total to 189, putting her just 10 away from breaking UCI's all-time record of 198, which is held by Kathy Lizarraga (1988-92).
• Haleigh Talbert knocked down a career-best four 3-pointers.
• Dani Guglielmo has made a three in four-straight games.
• Jordan Sanders notched her eighth game with 20+ points, but first since a career-high 34 on Dec. 18.
• Lauren Saiki had her 12th outing with 5+ assists, and eight of those have come with fewer than three turnovers.
• UC Irvine's 32 turnovers forced were a season-high against Division I opponents.
• The 'Eaters dished out at least 20 assists for the fifth time this season.
• UCI completed its first regular-season series sweep of Cal Poly in 16 years (since 2003).