CEDAR CITY, Utah - The UC Irvine women's basketball team started a five-game road swing with an 82-68 loss to Southern Utah Friday evening at America First Event Center.
 
The Anteaters (3-6) used a big 13-0 run to take a five-point lead midway through the third quarter, but the Thunderbirds had an answer, pulling ahead, 59-55, by the end of the period. SUU kept the momentum on its side in the fourth where it outscored UCI, 23-13, for the win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Alexus Seaton led the 'Eaters with 13 points, seven rebounds and a career-high three blocks. Freshman Chloe Webb reached double figures in scoring for the second time in three games with 12 points. She also had a season-best three steals. Senior Yazzy Sa'Dullah added a season-high 11 points on a 3-for-6 performance from beyond the arc.
 
Senior Lauren Saiki finished with nine points and seven assists, while junior Joy Akaegbu-Cleveland contributed nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Rebecca Cardenas anchored the Southern Utah effort with a game-high 30 points.
 
UCI outrebounded SUU, 38-35, and held a 26-18 advantage in second-chance points. The Anteaters shot 39% from the field, 29% from 3-point range and 75% from the free throw line.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Southern Utah (5-2) scored the first five points of the game, forcing UC Irvine to call an early timeout. The break in action helped the Anteaters who responded with a 6-0 spurt, capped by a pair of Seaton free throws, for their first lead of the night at the 6:53 mark. The Thunderbirds were able to pull back ahead and kept the advantage until Akaegbu-Cleveland converted on an and-one to knot the score, 13-13, with 3:40 remaining. SUU then retook the lead and held a 19-16 edge at the end of the first quarter.
 
Southern Utah went up, 26-16, at the 7:56 mark of the second quarter. A 3-pointer from Sa'Dullah got the 'Eaters back on the board and sparked an 11-0 rally that gave the visitors a 27-26 lead with 5:38 to play. That lead was short-lived, however, as the Thunderbirds ended a three-minute scoring drought on their next possession and carried a 38-33 cushion into the break.
 
SUU led by as many as nine early in the third frame before a 13-0 Anteater run, which ended with a Dani Guglielmo trey, put UC Irvine on top, 48-43, with 5:43 remaining. Southern Utah then proceeded to outscore the 'Eaters, 12-7, down the stretch for a four-point margin (59-55).
 
After trading buckets to start the fourth period, Southern Utah used a 7-1 spurt to go on top, 68-58, with 5:26 left to play. Sa'Dullah then knocked down a triple, but the Thunderbirds would not relent as they ran away with the 82-68 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine has an eight-day layoff for final exams before heading to Pac-12 member Washington State on Sunday, Dec. 15.
 

NOTES
• UC Irvine won the battle on the boards for the second time this season.
• For the first time this year, the Anteaters committed more turnovers than their opponent.
• Lauren Saiki has made a 3-pointer in 11 consecutive games dating back to last year.
• Saiki moved up one spot to No. 6 in school history with 292 career assists.
• Yazzy Sa'Dullah is the ninth 'Eater to reach double figures in scoring this season.
• Joy Akaegbu-Cleveland is averaging 9.0 rebounds over the last two games.
• Sophia Locandro made her first career start in place of Tahlia Garza who was out with an ankle sprain.
• Melodie Kapinga made her Anteater debut, entering the game with 6:55 to play in the first quarter.