Thursday, November 11
Irvine, Calif.
4:00 PM
UC Irvine
2-0,0-0Big West
81
vs
65
Southern Utah
0-2,0-0Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Utah | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 65 |
| UC Irvine | 18 | 30 | 19 | 14 | 81 |
'Eaters Take Down Southern Utah, 81-65
November 11, 2021 | Women's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. - Behind another impressive team effort, UC Irvine women's basketball defeated Southern Utah, 81-65, Thursday evening at the Bren Events Center.
Twelve of the 14 Anteaters who logged minutes made their way into the scoring column, while nine had at least five points.
After a slow start, the 'Eaters (2-0) found themselves trailing for the first time this season, but would kick it into high gear and take the lead for good with just under a minute to play in the first quarter.
"There were a lot of easy baskets we missed, and defensively we didn't get after it, so (Southern Utah) was able to execute and get after us pretty early," said UCI head coach Tamara Inoue. "Once we settled down and got into our rhythm, we were good."
BY THE NUMBERS: Chloe Webb led the way with 14 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals. It was Webb's first double-double of the season and sixth of her career. Sophia Locandro also finished in double figures with 12 points to go along with seven boards.
Jayde Cadee added nine points, while Kayla Williams had eight points, three assists and four steals. Olivia Williams chipped in eight points, and Nikki Tom had a solid all-around performance with seven points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Anteaters shot 43% (32-75) from the field and 38% (8-21) from beyond the arc. They combined for 11 steals and forced the Thunderbirds into 20 turnovers. Madelyn Eaton paced SUU with a game-high 26 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Southern Utah (0-2) raced out to a 5-0 lead before Kayla Williams got UC Irvine on the board with a step back jumper at the 7:15 mark. That started a 7-2 Anteater run to tie it up, but the Thunderbirds responded with back-to-back buckets. A Hunter Hernandez 3-pointer quickly cut into the four-point deficit and the 'Eaters took their first lead (12-11) just 38 seconds later with a pair of free throws from Tom. It went back-and-forth over the next minute-and-a-half before UCI closed out the first quarter with four-straight points to pull ahead, 18-15.
UC Irvine kept the momentum on its side, starting the second period on a 10-0 spurt, capped by threes from Olivia Williams and Webb, to go up, 28-15. SUU finally got back in the scoring column with just under seven minutes remaining, but the home team reeled off seven unanswered for its largest lead of the half at 35-18. Southern Utah was able to make it a nine-point game before Cadee took over with two of her three triples to give the Anteaters a 48-33 advantage at the break.
The Thunderbirds (0-2) closed the gap to 10 to start the third frame before a Déja Lee jumper ended the 5-0 rally. UCI stayed out front by double digits and a three from Kayla Williams at the buzzer made it 67-51 heading into the final quarter.
The 'Eaters put the game out of reach midway through the fourth as they increased their cushion to 23 on a Locandro jumper. Southern Utah kept fighting but was unable to dig itself out of the hole as UC Irvine came away with the 81-65 victory.
UP NEXT: The Anteaters close out their three-game season-opening homestand against San Diego State on Sunday, Nov. 14. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
NOTES
• Through the first two games, UC Irvine is averaging 97.5 points per contest.
• UCI has scored 30+ points in three of the eight quarters it has played this season.
• Six different Anteaters have reached double figures in scoring.
• The 'Eaters improved to 5-2 in their all-time series with Southern Utah.
• Sophia Locandro moved into a tie for 10th on UCI's all-time charts with her 61st career block.
• Locandro also surpassed 600 career points (605).
Twelve of the 14 Anteaters who logged minutes made their way into the scoring column, while nine had at least five points.
After a slow start, the 'Eaters (2-0) found themselves trailing for the first time this season, but would kick it into high gear and take the lead for good with just under a minute to play in the first quarter.
"There were a lot of easy baskets we missed, and defensively we didn't get after it, so (Southern Utah) was able to execute and get after us pretty early," said UCI head coach Tamara Inoue. "Once we settled down and got into our rhythm, we were good."
BY THE NUMBERS: Chloe Webb led the way with 14 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals. It was Webb's first double-double of the season and sixth of her career. Sophia Locandro also finished in double figures with 12 points to go along with seven boards.
Jayde Cadee added nine points, while Kayla Williams had eight points, three assists and four steals. Olivia Williams chipped in eight points, and Nikki Tom had a solid all-around performance with seven points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Anteaters shot 43% (32-75) from the field and 38% (8-21) from beyond the arc. They combined for 11 steals and forced the Thunderbirds into 20 turnovers. Madelyn Eaton paced SUU with a game-high 26 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Southern Utah (0-2) raced out to a 5-0 lead before Kayla Williams got UC Irvine on the board with a step back jumper at the 7:15 mark. That started a 7-2 Anteater run to tie it up, but the Thunderbirds responded with back-to-back buckets. A Hunter Hernandez 3-pointer quickly cut into the four-point deficit and the 'Eaters took their first lead (12-11) just 38 seconds later with a pair of free throws from Tom. It went back-and-forth over the next minute-and-a-half before UCI closed out the first quarter with four-straight points to pull ahead, 18-15.
UC Irvine kept the momentum on its side, starting the second period on a 10-0 spurt, capped by threes from Olivia Williams and Webb, to go up, 28-15. SUU finally got back in the scoring column with just under seven minutes remaining, but the home team reeled off seven unanswered for its largest lead of the half at 35-18. Southern Utah was able to make it a nine-point game before Cadee took over with two of her three triples to give the Anteaters a 48-33 advantage at the break.
The Thunderbirds (0-2) closed the gap to 10 to start the third frame before a Déja Lee jumper ended the 5-0 rally. UCI stayed out front by double digits and a three from Kayla Williams at the buzzer made it 67-51 heading into the final quarter.
The 'Eaters put the game out of reach midway through the fourth as they increased their cushion to 23 on a Locandro jumper. Southern Utah kept fighting but was unable to dig itself out of the hole as UC Irvine came away with the 81-65 victory.
UP NEXT: The Anteaters close out their three-game season-opening homestand against San Diego State on Sunday, Nov. 14. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
NOTES
• Through the first two games, UC Irvine is averaging 97.5 points per contest.
• UCI has scored 30+ points in three of the eight quarters it has played this season.
• Six different Anteaters have reached double figures in scoring.
• The 'Eaters improved to 5-2 in their all-time series with Southern Utah.
• Sophia Locandro moved into a tie for 10th on UCI's all-time charts with her 61st career block.
• Locandro also surpassed 600 career points (605).
Team Stats
SUU
Irvine
FG%
.415
.427
3FG%
.227
.381
FT%
.750
.750
RB
37
43
TO
20
14
STL
9
11
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballForward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballGuard
/ Women's BasketballGuard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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