Box Score SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team used a strong start and strong finish to remain undefeated in Big West play with a 63-52 victory over Cal Poly Friday afternoon at Mott Athletics Center.

"It's a good feeling so far, but we have a long way to go from the end result," said head coach Tamara Inoue about the Anteaters' 3-0 Big West start. "Right now, our goal is to have our full squad back, so it's been great having Lex and Haleigh back, as well as Mel, who's coming back strong. Having a full squad feels great; credit to my staff and athletic trainer for getting them back on the floor. We just have to keep them strong and healthy through the end of the season."
 
The 'Eaters (6-5, 3-0 Big West) went up early and led by many as 14 in the first half. The Mustangs then gained some momentum in the third period, taking their only lead of the day with 3:38 remaining in the quarter, but 18 seconds later, Haleigh Talbert hit a triple to put UCI back on top. The Anteaters stayed out front and were hanging on to a two-point lead by the end of the frame. They then opened the fourth on a 8-0 run to quickly put the game out of reach.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams led the way with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Sophomore Chloe Webb recorded her third double-double of the season as she finished with 14 points and 11 boards. Senior Alexus Seaton also registered a season-best 11 points and a career-high five steals, while sophomore Sophia Locandro chipped in eight points and seven rebounds.
 
The 'Eaters won the battle in field goal percentage (48%-to-35%), 3-point percentage (31%-to-17%) and rebounds (37-34).
 
Sierra Campisano paced the Mustangs with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Kirsty Brown added 15 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine struck first and took a 6-2 lead after four minutes of action. Cal Poly then came back with a 3-pointer, but the Anteaters proceeded to go on an 11-2 run, capped by a Williams triple and a couple free throws from Seaton, to pull ahead, 17-7, at the 1:55 mark. The Mustangs then got the final bucket of the first quarter to make it an eight-point game.
 
The 'Eaters continued to apply the defensive pressure, opening the second period with three steals that led to three fast break layups and a 23-9 advantage with 7:52 remaining. CP trimmed UCI's lead to eight, but the Anteaters extended their cushion to 28-18 at the break.
 
Cal Poly (5-4, 1-2 Big West) came out firing in the third frame as it scored 11 unanswered points, including nine-straight from Brown, to take its first lead (33-32) at the 3:38 mark. That was short-lived, however, as Talbert and senior Dani Guglielmo responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to go up, 38-33. The seesaw battle continued over the final minutes with UC Irvine holding a 41-39 edge heading into the fourth.
 
The 'Eaters regrouped and took control in the final quarter where they outscored, the Mustangs, 22-13. Locandro set the tone in the first two minutes with a couple early buckets. The visitors increased their margin to 49-39 on a Guglielmo three before Cal Poly got back on the board at the 6:35 mark. The Anteaters continued to roll, going up by as many as 17, before closing out the 63-52 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine and Cal Poly will square off again tomorrow at 3 p.m. in San Luis Obispo.
 
NOTES
• UCI is one of three Big West teams that remain undefeated in conference games.
• The Anteaters are out to their first 3-0 start to league play since 2010-11.
• Despite having six more turnovers than Cal Poly, UC Irvine was only outscored, 27-24, in points off those miscues.
• It was the third time this season the 'Eaters have committed more TOs than their opponent.
• UC Irvine is 5-1 when three or more players score in double figures.
• UCI held Abbey Ellis, the Big West's leading scorer at 22.1 ppg entering today's game, to nine points.
• Chloe Webb, who had her team-leading third double-double, is tops on the squad with 7.8 rebounds per game.
• Haleigh Talbert returned from injury with her first appearance since Dec. 19, finishing with six points, two assists and one steal.