Saturday, November 9
Corvallis, Ore.
6:00 PM
UC Irvine
at
Oregon State
'Eaters Begin Preseason WNIT at No. 6 Oregon State
November 07, 2019 | Women's Basketball
UC Irvine (1-0) at
No. 6/7 Oregon State (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 9
Time: 6 p.m. (PST)
Location: Gill Coliseum (9,604) - Corvallis, Ore.
Pac-12 Networks // Listen on KUCI // Live Stats
Game Notes (PDF)
IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team will be tested on the road this Saturday (Nov. 9) as it travels to Corvallis, Oregon, for a first-round Preseason WNIT game at sixth-ranked Oregon State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Gill Coliseum, and the game will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks.
STORYLINES
• UC Irvine is coming off a 79-77 victory over San José State (Nov. 5). It was the Anteaters' third-straight season-opening win.
• This is the first time in program history UCI has been invited to participate in the 16-team Preseason WNIT.
• The elite tournament features 12 teams that made a postseason appearance last year, including five in the NCAA Tournament.
• The 'Eaters return eight of their 10 letterwinners from last year's squad that went 20-11 overall.
• It was the third 20-win season in school history, and first since 1984-85 (21).
• UC Irvine has increased its win total in each of Inoue's three years at the helm.
• Junior and first-team All-Big West selection Jordan Sanders is one of the NCAA's top-five returning scorers.
• Last year, she was second in the league and 23rd in the nation with 20.3 points per game.
• Senior Lauren Saiki earned 2018-19 All-Big West honorable mention recognition after averaging 11.9 points and 4.3 assists per contest.
• UCI was picked to finish first in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll and second in the Big West Preseason Media Poll.
WITH A WIN…
• UC Irvine would pick up its first win over a ranked opponent since 1985, and its first-ever victory over a top-10 team.
• The Anteaters would notch their first win over a Pac-12 team in 20 years.
• UCI's last victory against the conference came over Oregon State on Dec. 3, 1999.
ABOUT OREGON STATE
Oregon State returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team that went 26-8, and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year. The Beavers are ranked sixth in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll and seventh in the AP Poll.
Leading the way for OSU are Destiny Slocum and Mikayla Pivec, who were named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Slocum, a redshirt junior, averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 2018-19. Pivec, who is entering her senior campaign, is coming off her best season in Corvallis as she registered 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per outing. Both garnered All-America honors last year.
Oregon State is the tallest team the Anteaters will face this year. The Beavers have nine players standing at least 6-foot tall, with four listed at or above 6-foot-6.
SERIES RECORD
UC Irvine trails in its all-time series with Oregon State, 6-1. They last met in 2009 with the Beavers winning 58-42 in Corvallis. The Anteaters' lone win in the series was on Dec. 3, 1999, when they topped OSU, 68-46, at home.
PRESEASON WNIT
The 'Eaters are set to make the program's first appearance in the Preseason WNIT, which is an annual invitation-only tournament involving 16 of the nation's top teams. Teams are selected based on their program's expected success, relevant past and conference standings.
LAST TIME OUT
UC Irvine opened the 2019-20 campaign with a thrilling 79-77 victory over San José State Tuesday at the Bren Events Center. The Anteaters saw a late seven-point lead disappear as they were down 74-73 with 1:29 remaining. Alexus Seaton then ended a two-minute UCI scoring drought before Lauren Saiki drained a clutch 3-pointer to put the home team on top for good. Seaton finished with 17 points (6-9 FG), while Saiki had 16 points, seven assists and three steals. Jordan Sanders added 16 points and a team-best eight boards, and Sophia Locandro chipped in 11 points in her official collegiate debut.
OPENING NIGHT
The 'Eaters are now 3-1 in season openers in the Tamara Inoue era, and have been 1-0 in each of the last three years. In 2018-19, the Anteaters defeated Life Pacific College (NAIA), 105-31. The 74-point triumph tied the second-largest margin of victory in program history. In 2017-18, UCI won in more dramatic fashion, erasing a 13-point deficit in the final minutes with a half-court shot at the buzzer capping the rally for an 87-84 victory over Utah State.
CAREER DAY
Junior Alexus Seaton, who averaged 3.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg last year, made a statement in the season-opening win over San José State, establishing career highs in points (17), rebounds (7) and assists (5). For the first time in her tenure with the Anteaters, the Arlington, Texas, native led the team in scoring, finishing with 17 on 6-of-9 shooting against the Spartans.
ACCESS DENIED
UC Irvine, which ranked 22nd in the nation in turnovers forced last year, has continued to put the pressure on, scoring 24 points off 18 San José State miscues Tuesday evening. But, the Anteaters were also impressive down low, holding an 8-to-1 advantage in blocked shots. Their eight blocks were the most in a game since they also had eight at San Diego State on Dec. 8, 2017.
WINNING WAYS
In 2018-19, UC Irvine recorded the third 20-win season in program history, and first in 34 years. The 'Eaters have increased their win total in each of Tamara Inoue's three years as head coach. They upped their number of victories by one in 2016-17, 12 in 2017-18 and two in 2018-19.
THE TURNAROUND
The Anteaters made their biggest jump in 2017-18 with their highest win total (18) and first postseason appearance since 1994-95. They saw a 12.5-game improvement from 2016-17, which marked the second-best turnaround in all of NCAA Division I.
GROWING UP
UC Irvine is primed to continue its winning ways with 10 members from last year's team returning (8 letterwinners, 2 redshirts). For the first time since Inoue's initial season at the helm when she inherited five seniors, the 'Eaters will have more upperclassmen than underclassmen. Their roster is comprised of three seniors, six juniors and five freshmen.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
The 'Eaters return over 70% of their scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks. Jordan Sanders was tops on the squad last year with 547 points (20.3 ppg) and 193 rebounds (7.1 rpg). Lauren Saiki also led the way with 134 assists (4.3 apg), while ranking second in scoring (11.9 ppg) and steals (60).
HOME COOKING
Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, UC Irvine is 23-8 (.742) at the Bren Events Center. The 23 home victories in two-plus seasons equal the Anteaters' combined total from the previous five years.
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
For the first time in program history, the Anteaters were picked to finish first in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll. They received six of the nine first-place votes to top the list with 77 points. Three-time defending regular season champion UC Davis was a close second with 70 points (two first-place votes). UC Riverside collected the final first-place nod and came in third with 60 points. Jordan Sanders was selected to the preseason all-conference team for the second year in a row. Sanders and Lauren Saiki also made the media's Preseason All-Big West Team.
COUNTDOWN TO 1,000
Junior Jordan Sanders is 112 points away from becoming the 15th player to join UCI women's basketball's 1,000-point club. If she accomplishes the feat this year, she will be the sixth individual in program history to reach 1,000 points by the end of her third season.
BANNER SEASON
Sanders took home a single-season program-record three Big West Player of the Week awards in 2018-19. She also earned first-team All-Big West honors and was the Anteaters' first Big West All-Tournament selection in five years. In three postseason games, Sanders averaged 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals. She had a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards in the first round vs. UC Santa Barbara, and dropped 22 points in the semifinals against eventual champion UC Davis. On the year, Sanders led the 'Eaters in scoring (20.3 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and blocks (1.1 bpg).
THE LO-DOWN
Senior Lauren Saiki (Monterey Park, Calif.) was the Anteaters' floor general last year with a team-leading 134 assists. Her 4.3 assists per game also ranked fifth in the Big West. Saiki dished out 5+ helpers 13 times last year, with 10 of those coming in a consecutive stretch from Nov. 24-Jan. 12. During that streak, she recorded her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and a career-high 13 assists in a 77-61 victory over Indiana State. Even more impressive was the fact she committed only one turnover against the Sycamores. Saiki's 13 dimes rank third in single-game program history and were the most by an 'Eater since Megan Stafford had 15 vs. Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 27, 1997. In two-plus years, Saiki has amassed 239 assists, putting her 10 away from entering UCI's all-time top-10.
UP NEXT
The Preseason WNIT will continue on the road for UC Irvine next week. If the Anteaters defeat Oregon State, they will play the winner of the Pacific-UMKC game on Monday, Nov. 11. If the 'Eaters lose on Saturday, they will be regrouped into a consolation bracket which will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 10.
No. 6/7 Oregon State (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 9
Time: 6 p.m. (PST)
Location: Gill Coliseum (9,604) - Corvallis, Ore.
Pac-12 Networks // Listen on KUCI // Live Stats
Game Notes (PDF)
IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team will be tested on the road this Saturday (Nov. 9) as it travels to Corvallis, Oregon, for a first-round Preseason WNIT game at sixth-ranked Oregon State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Gill Coliseum, and the game will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks.
STORYLINES
• UC Irvine is coming off a 79-77 victory over San José State (Nov. 5). It was the Anteaters' third-straight season-opening win.
• This is the first time in program history UCI has been invited to participate in the 16-team Preseason WNIT.
• The elite tournament features 12 teams that made a postseason appearance last year, including five in the NCAA Tournament.
• The 'Eaters return eight of their 10 letterwinners from last year's squad that went 20-11 overall.
• It was the third 20-win season in school history, and first since 1984-85 (21).
• UC Irvine has increased its win total in each of Inoue's three years at the helm.
• Junior and first-team All-Big West selection Jordan Sanders is one of the NCAA's top-five returning scorers.
• Last year, she was second in the league and 23rd in the nation with 20.3 points per game.
• Senior Lauren Saiki earned 2018-19 All-Big West honorable mention recognition after averaging 11.9 points and 4.3 assists per contest.
• UCI was picked to finish first in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll and second in the Big West Preseason Media Poll.
WITH A WIN…
• UC Irvine would pick up its first win over a ranked opponent since 1985, and its first-ever victory over a top-10 team.
• The Anteaters would notch their first win over a Pac-12 team in 20 years.
• UCI's last victory against the conference came over Oregon State on Dec. 3, 1999.
ABOUT OREGON STATE
Oregon State returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team that went 26-8, and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year. The Beavers are ranked sixth in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll and seventh in the AP Poll.
Leading the way for OSU are Destiny Slocum and Mikayla Pivec, who were named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Slocum, a redshirt junior, averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 2018-19. Pivec, who is entering her senior campaign, is coming off her best season in Corvallis as she registered 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per outing. Both garnered All-America honors last year.
Oregon State is the tallest team the Anteaters will face this year. The Beavers have nine players standing at least 6-foot tall, with four listed at or above 6-foot-6.
SERIES RECORD
UC Irvine trails in its all-time series with Oregon State, 6-1. They last met in 2009 with the Beavers winning 58-42 in Corvallis. The Anteaters' lone win in the series was on Dec. 3, 1999, when they topped OSU, 68-46, at home.
PRESEASON WNIT
The 'Eaters are set to make the program's first appearance in the Preseason WNIT, which is an annual invitation-only tournament involving 16 of the nation's top teams. Teams are selected based on their program's expected success, relevant past and conference standings.
LAST TIME OUT
UC Irvine opened the 2019-20 campaign with a thrilling 79-77 victory over San José State Tuesday at the Bren Events Center. The Anteaters saw a late seven-point lead disappear as they were down 74-73 with 1:29 remaining. Alexus Seaton then ended a two-minute UCI scoring drought before Lauren Saiki drained a clutch 3-pointer to put the home team on top for good. Seaton finished with 17 points (6-9 FG), while Saiki had 16 points, seven assists and three steals. Jordan Sanders added 16 points and a team-best eight boards, and Sophia Locandro chipped in 11 points in her official collegiate debut.
OPENING NIGHT
The 'Eaters are now 3-1 in season openers in the Tamara Inoue era, and have been 1-0 in each of the last three years. In 2018-19, the Anteaters defeated Life Pacific College (NAIA), 105-31. The 74-point triumph tied the second-largest margin of victory in program history. In 2017-18, UCI won in more dramatic fashion, erasing a 13-point deficit in the final minutes with a half-court shot at the buzzer capping the rally for an 87-84 victory over Utah State.
CAREER DAY
Junior Alexus Seaton, who averaged 3.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg last year, made a statement in the season-opening win over San José State, establishing career highs in points (17), rebounds (7) and assists (5). For the first time in her tenure with the Anteaters, the Arlington, Texas, native led the team in scoring, finishing with 17 on 6-of-9 shooting against the Spartans.
ACCESS DENIED
UC Irvine, which ranked 22nd in the nation in turnovers forced last year, has continued to put the pressure on, scoring 24 points off 18 San José State miscues Tuesday evening. But, the Anteaters were also impressive down low, holding an 8-to-1 advantage in blocked shots. Their eight blocks were the most in a game since they also had eight at San Diego State on Dec. 8, 2017.
WINNING WAYS
In 2018-19, UC Irvine recorded the third 20-win season in program history, and first in 34 years. The 'Eaters have increased their win total in each of Tamara Inoue's three years as head coach. They upped their number of victories by one in 2016-17, 12 in 2017-18 and two in 2018-19.
THE TURNAROUND
The Anteaters made their biggest jump in 2017-18 with their highest win total (18) and first postseason appearance since 1994-95. They saw a 12.5-game improvement from 2016-17, which marked the second-best turnaround in all of NCAA Division I.
GROWING UP
UC Irvine is primed to continue its winning ways with 10 members from last year's team returning (8 letterwinners, 2 redshirts). For the first time since Inoue's initial season at the helm when she inherited five seniors, the 'Eaters will have more upperclassmen than underclassmen. Their roster is comprised of three seniors, six juniors and five freshmen.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
The 'Eaters return over 70% of their scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks. Jordan Sanders was tops on the squad last year with 547 points (20.3 ppg) and 193 rebounds (7.1 rpg). Lauren Saiki also led the way with 134 assists (4.3 apg), while ranking second in scoring (11.9 ppg) and steals (60).
HOME COOKING
Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, UC Irvine is 23-8 (.742) at the Bren Events Center. The 23 home victories in two-plus seasons equal the Anteaters' combined total from the previous five years.
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
For the first time in program history, the Anteaters were picked to finish first in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll. They received six of the nine first-place votes to top the list with 77 points. Three-time defending regular season champion UC Davis was a close second with 70 points (two first-place votes). UC Riverside collected the final first-place nod and came in third with 60 points. Jordan Sanders was selected to the preseason all-conference team for the second year in a row. Sanders and Lauren Saiki also made the media's Preseason All-Big West Team.
COUNTDOWN TO 1,000
Junior Jordan Sanders is 112 points away from becoming the 15th player to join UCI women's basketball's 1,000-point club. If she accomplishes the feat this year, she will be the sixth individual in program history to reach 1,000 points by the end of her third season.
BANNER SEASON
Sanders took home a single-season program-record three Big West Player of the Week awards in 2018-19. She also earned first-team All-Big West honors and was the Anteaters' first Big West All-Tournament selection in five years. In three postseason games, Sanders averaged 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals. She had a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards in the first round vs. UC Santa Barbara, and dropped 22 points in the semifinals against eventual champion UC Davis. On the year, Sanders led the 'Eaters in scoring (20.3 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and blocks (1.1 bpg).
THE LO-DOWN
Senior Lauren Saiki (Monterey Park, Calif.) was the Anteaters' floor general last year with a team-leading 134 assists. Her 4.3 assists per game also ranked fifth in the Big West. Saiki dished out 5+ helpers 13 times last year, with 10 of those coming in a consecutive stretch from Nov. 24-Jan. 12. During that streak, she recorded her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and a career-high 13 assists in a 77-61 victory over Indiana State. Even more impressive was the fact she committed only one turnover against the Sycamores. Saiki's 13 dimes rank third in single-game program history and were the most by an 'Eater since Megan Stafford had 15 vs. Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 27, 1997. In two-plus years, Saiki has amassed 239 assists, putting her 10 away from entering UCI's all-time top-10.
UP NEXT
The Preseason WNIT will continue on the road for UC Irvine next week. If the Anteaters defeat Oregon State, they will play the winner of the Pacific-UMKC game on Monday, Nov. 11. If the 'Eaters lose on Saturday, they will be regrouped into a consolation bracket which will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 10.
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