SAN DIEGO - The UC Irvine women's basketball team used a strong defensive effort and a balanced scoring attack to pick up an impressive 66-55 road win over San Diego State Saturday at Viejas Arena.
 
The Anteaters (2-3) took the lead with 3:33 left in the first quarter and never looked back. After scoring just one point through the first six minutes, UCI found its rhythm, going 6-for-6 from the field down the stretch to finish the opening period with 18 points. The 'Eaters kept the momentum, going up by as many as 20, before holding off a late SDSU rally for the victory.  
 
"We called a timeout during that run and the only thing we talked about was making sure we were focusing back on defense," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "Offense is fun, and we all love it, but the minute we start focusing on defense we start to be better. After that timeout, I thought our team did a good job of coming out, flying after the ball and securing some rebounds that we needed."

UC Irvine forced a season-high 26 turnovers, and held the Aztecs to just 31% shooting.
 
"I thought we did a good job of getting some turnovers early and we are starting to execute now, scoring 24 points off those turnovers. We want to be better, but it's a good start."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Freshman Victoria Baker led three Anteaters in double figures with a game and season-high 17 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Baker entered today's game averaging 2.0 points per outing.
 
"When I make mistakes my teammates help me get over them quickly, so I think that was a really big thing for me today," said Baker. "Having them lift me up throughout the game just gave me confidence."
 
Sophomore Jayde Cadee also recorded a season-best 15 points (5-13 3FG) and five boards. Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams added 15 points, six assists and four steals.
 
Backing up the trio was senior Tahlia Garza, who notched a season-high eight points and five rebounds, while sophomore Sophia Locandro and freshman Caiyle Kaupu chipped in six and four points, respectively.
 
The 'Eaters shot 44% from the field and were 13-of-17 at the free throw line. They also had a season-best 13 steals, and owned a 37-to-35 advantage on the glass.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Both teams got off to a slow start offensively as San Diego State held a 3-1 edge until Williams knocked down a free throw at the 3:55 mark. Baker followed with an offensive rebound and layup just 20 seconds later to give UC Irvine its first lead of the game. The Anteaters then got hot as they proceeded to go on a 14-5 run over the final 2:30 to pull ahead, 18-8. The 'Eaters knocked down four threes during that stretch including two from Cadee.
 
In the second quarter, UCI went up, 21-10, when Baker converted an and-one with 8:29 left in the half, but SDSU would eventually reel off seven unanswered points to close the gap to 23-21. Garza then gave the visitors a boost with all six of her first-half points coming over the next minute-and-a-half to increase the cushion to 29-22 with 1:24 remaining. UC Irvine kept the momentum the rest of the way with Cadee's third triple capping a 10-3 rally that put the Anteaters on top, 34-24, at the break.
 
The 'Eaters forced 15 first-half turnovers and held the Aztecs to a 26% clip from the field.
 
San Diego State (2-5) opened the third frame on a 10-2 run, but four-straight points from Williams, and a Garza layup, pushed UCI's lead back up to eight (42-34) at the 5:59 mark. The Anteaters continued to roll as a Baker and-one, sandwiched in between a couple more threes from Cadee, started a 13-1 spurt that gave UC Irvine a 59-39 advantage. SDSU then closed out the period with two free throws.
 
Locandro knocked down a jumper to start the fourth quarter, but the Aztecs responded with an 11-0 run that cut the deficit to 61-52 with just under five minutes to play. A fastbreak layup by Baker then ended a six-minute scoring drought for the 'Eaters who were able to hold San Diego State to just three points the rest of the way for the 66-55 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine returns to the hardwood tomorrow as it takes on the University of San Diego in its final tune-up before Big West play. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
NOTES
• Kayla Williams registered her fifth-straight double-figure scoring game.
• Williams has also had multiple assists and steals in all five contests.
• Victoria Baker led the Anteaters in scoring for the first time in her young career.
• Jayde Cadee has knocked down at least one 3-pointer in 14 consecutive games.
• She finished with a season-high five triples today, marking her 16th career outing with multiple threes.
• Caiyle Kaupu made her collegiate debut, entering the game in the second quarter.
• Kaupu scored her first career points with a layup at the 5:10 mark of the third period.
• Tahlia Garza surpassed 500 career points (505).