IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team closed out its non-conference schedule with a 93-41 win over NAIA member Westcliff University Monday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
The Anteaters (4-10), who never trailed in the game, led by 20 at intermission before really breaking it open in the second half where they outscored the Warriors, 53-21. They shot 51% over the final 20 minutes, while holding Westcliff to 22%.
 
"I thought we came out flat, but we picked it up as the game went on," UCI head coach Tamara Inoue said. "Haleigh came in and gave us the energy we wanted and she got us going. Chloe also started off great for us so it was good to see those two compete really hard. I'm proud of their effort."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: The freshman duo of Sophia Locandro and Chloe Webb led the way for the 'Eaters, combining for 42 points on 63% shooting.
 
Locandro had the team's first double-double of the year with a season-best 22 points (10-16 FG) and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes played. She also had three assists and two blocks. Webb added season-highs of 20 points, seven boards, six steals and three assists.
 
"Sophia getting a double-double is something she can do every game," Inoue said. "We're working on her footwork with her transition from Australian basketball to the NCAA, but she's getting there. Going 10-for-16 is great and seven offensive rebounds is even better. We're excited about Sophia and are looking forward to what she can do in conference."
 
Junior Haleigh Talbert finished with 14 points on a 6-for-11 performance, while freshman Jayde Cadee remained hot, knocking down four triples for 12 points. Junior Dani Guglielmo chipped in seven points and a career-high eight rebounds.
 
Senior Lauren Saiki dished out a game-high five assists, giving her 323 in her career and moving her up one spot to No. 5 in school history.
 
Lauren Davis paced Westcliff with 14 points, while Mammusu Secka had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
As a team, the Anteaters shot 49% overall and 41% from long distance. They established season bests in points (93), rebounds (56), assists (22) and steals (14). UC Irvine also forced its opponent into 20+ turnovers for the second-straight game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine took an early 9-2 lead following a Cadee 3-pointer, but Westcliff proceeded to score seven unanswered to tie it up at the 4:23 mark. After both teams came up empty over the next couple minutes, Locandro connected on back-to-back possessions, sparking a 12-2 spurt that gave the Anteaters a 21-11 advantage. The Warriors' Davis then hit a jumper at the first-quarter buzzer to make it an eight-point game.
 
Webb opened the second period with a triple and the 'Eaters kept the momentum on their side, pulling ahead, 33-16, on a Locandro layup with 4:12 remaining. Westcliff closed the gap to 13, but UCI went on a 7-0 run over the final 47 seconds to go up, 40-20, at the break.
 
UC Irvine continued to roll in the third frame as a 20-5 rally, which was capped by five-straight points from Talbert, gave the home team a 60-25 lead. The Anteaters increased that margin to 41 (69-28) by the end of the quarter.
 
The 'Eaters continued to build on their lead in the fourth, closing out the 93-41 win.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine will head to CSUN for its Big West opener on Saturday, Jan. 11. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at The Matadome.
 
NOTES
• Sophia Locandro and Chloe Webb were the fourth and fifth Anteaters to eclipse the 20-point mark this season.
• Webb is also the first 'Eater to have six steals in a game since Dec. 6, 2018.
• UC Irvine outscored Westcliff, 50-12, in the paint.
• UCI is now 25-9 at the Bren Events Center over the last three seasons.
• The Anteaters had four players in double figures for the second time this year, and first since the opener vs. San Jose State.
• The 'Eaters outrebounded their opponent for the third time in 2019-20, and did so by a dominant 56-36 margin.  
• UCI won its non-conference finale for the fourth-straight year.
• Lauren Saiki, who did not have any field goal attempts, saw her streak of 15 consecutive games with a 3-pointer made come to an end.
• This was an exhibition game for Westcliff which competes in the NAIA.