IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team nearly came back from a double-digit deficit once again, but their late rally fell short in a 70-68 loss to Hawai'i Thursday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
The Anteaters (14-5, 4-3 Big West) trailed by as many as 14 and were down by 11 heading into the fourth quarter where they ended up outscoring the Rainbow Wahine, 25-16. The 'Eaters were able to pull within two and had the ball with 2.4 seconds on the clock, but their final attempt was off the mark.
 
"In the fourth quarter, we got them a little tired and were able to push in transition a lot better which got us some open shots," head coach Tamara Inoue said. "Losing tonight hurts, but credit to Hawai'i. They ran their plays well and they rebounded."
 
Sophomore Jordan Sanders led all players with 29 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. She was 10-for-20 from the floor and 7-of-7 at the free throw line. It was Sanders' third-straight 20-point game, and 10th of the season.
 
Junior Lauren Saiki and sophomore Haleigh Talbert finished with nine points apiece, while Talbert added a team-best four steals and three assists. Senior Sabrina Engelstad chipped in eight points (3-3 FG) and four rebounds.  
 
UC Irvine struck first with a 3-pointer from Sanders, but it was Hawai'i that would pull ahead, 14-7, at the 3:06 mark. The Anteaters came back with a 7-2 spurt before the Rainbow Wahine responded with back-to-back buckets to take a 20-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
In the second period, the 'Eaters used an 11-2 run, capped by a Talbert jumper, to go up, 25-24, with 5:31 remaining in the half. It was a seesaw battle over the next couple minutes until the visitors created some separation. UH went on to outscore UCI, 10-1, down the stretch for a 36-28 advantage at the break.
 
Hawai'i (9-12, 5-3 Big West) came out hot in the third frame, knocking down three triples over the first five minutes to claim its largest lead of the night at 48-34. UC Irvine cut the deficit down to single digits on a 3-pointer from Talbert, but the 'Bows went back on top by 11 after three.
 
The Anteaters seized the momentum early in the fourth stanza, scoring the first seven points. Junior Yazzy Sa'Dullah's shot from beyond the arc made it a 54-50 game with 7:58 remaining. Following a timeout, the Rainbow Wahine ended their drought with a three and increased their cushion to nine with 3:13 to play. The 'Eaters refused to quit, however, as an Engelstad layup and a three-point play by Sa'Dullah closed the gap to 66-62 at the 1:53 mark.

UH made a couple free throws on the other end, but Sanders was then fouled on a 3-point attempt and she sank all of her free throws to bring UCI within three (68-65). A couple more foul shots for Hawai'i would follow before a perfectly drawn up inbounds play got Sanders an and-one to make it 70-68 with 5.8 seconds left. UC Irvine was able to force a turnover, getting the ball back with 2.4 ticks on the clock, but a deep three from Sanders was short, allowing Hawai'i to escape with the win.

Amy Atwell paced the Rainbow Wahine with 19 points on an 8-for-11 shooting performance. Courtney Middap and Makenna Woodfolk added 11 points apiece, while Tia Kanoa finished with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
 
UC Irvine will look to bounce back on Saturday, Feb. 9, when it plays host to Cal State Fullerton at 3 p.m. in the front end of a Homecoming doubleheader with the men's team.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine saw a four-game home winning streak snapped with just its second defeat at the Bren Events Center this season.
• It was the first time this year the 'Eaters had only one player reach double figures in scoring.
• This was the Anteaters' first loss when Jordan Sanders scores 20+ points.
• Sanders has now made 15 consecutive free throws over the last two games.
• UCI and UH are the top-two teams in the conference in free throw percentage.
• In tonight's game, the 'Eaters shot 80 percent (16-20), while the 'Bows were 94 percent (17-18) at the line.
• Lauren Saiki recorded her 200th career assist.
• Andee Ritter jumped to No. 4 in program history with 176 career steals.