IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's basketball team was unable to get its offense going in a 68-60 loss to San Diego State Sunday at the Bren Events Center.
 
The Anteaters (2-1), who entered the game shooting nearly 50% from the field, finished the afternoon at an uncharacteristic 28% (18-65) overall, and 15% (4-26) from beyond the arc. Despite their offensive struggles, the 'Eaters were able to keep it close by scoring 19 points off 19 SDSU turnovers. They also went a season-best 20-of-25 (80%) at the free throw line.
 
"We didn't shoot very well at all today," said UCI head coach Tamara Inoue. "San Diego State came out and they were ready. They were physical with us and we didn't go physical back; there was no urgency. Credit San Diego State, they did a great job."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Kayla Williams, Olivia Williams and Chloe Webb tied for the team lead with 10 points apiece. Kayla added four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Webb was also 4-of-8 from the floor and pulled down four boards.
 
Sophia Locandro contributed eight points, all of which came in the fourth quarter, while Nikki Tom dished out a team-best three assists. Tara Dusharm also finished with six points, four rebounds and two blocks.
 
Sophia Ramos paced the Aztecs with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: San Diego State (2-0) came out strong, pulling ahead, 15-5, at the 4:45 mark. Olivia Williams' second triple quickly cut the deficit to single digits as UC Irvine began to chip away. A 12-2 run, capped by a pair of free throws from Kayla Williams, would give the Anteaters their first lead of the game with 43.3 seconds on the clock, and they held a slight 23-22 edge at the end of the first quarter.
 
It was a seesaw battle to start the second period before layups from Webb and Olivia Williams put UCI on top, 29-26, with 4:29 remaining. The Aztecs then outscored the 'Eaters, 9-2, down the stretch to go up, 35-31, at the break.
 
SDSU built its advantage back to seven on an and-one midway through the third frame, but a Caiyle Kaupu layup sparked a 6-1 spurt that closed the gap to 46-44 at the 1:16 mark. That was the closest UCI would get as the visitors increased their cushion to 52-46 over the final minute.
 
San Diego State scored the first four points of the final quarter before Locandro got UC Irvine back on the board with a traditional three-point play at the 8:19 mark. The two teams then traded buckets until a Kayla Williams trey made it a five-point game with 3:22 remaining. The Aztecs put an end to any momentum the Anteaters were gaining as they responded with six unanswered to go up by 11 before closing out the 68-60 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine heads to California Baptist on Saturday, Nov. 20, for its first road game of the season. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine has forced 16+ turnovers in all three games this year.
• The Anteaters were held to single digits in a quarter for the first time this season (8 points in the 2Q).
• Kayla Williams had her 20th career double-figure scoring game.
• Williams, whose first field goal came late in the fourth quarter, extended her streak of consecutive games played with a 3-pointer made to 17.
• Sophia Locandro took over sole possession of 10th on UCI's all-time charts with her 62nd career block.
• UCI and SDSU have split their last four meetings (2-2).
• Both teams' victories during that stretch have come on the road.