IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's basketball team got contributions from all 15 players in a dominant 114-53 season-opening win over NAIA member Westcliff University Tuesday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.
 
"We have a lot of weapons this year as far as shooters go," said UCI head coach Tamara Inoue. "Anyone can shoot on any given day, and it was great to see everyone on today."
 
The 114 points were a program record, breaking the previous mark of 107, which was originally set back in 1979, and matched in 2018. In her collegiate debut, Olivia Williams set the tone early, scoring the Anteaters' first points of the season with a three just 42 seconds into the game.
 
The 'Eaters (1-0) ended up shooting a blistering 57% from the field (43-76) and from beyond the arc (13-23). They had 30 assists on their 43 made FG to tie a single-game school record from the 1982-83 season. UCI also outrebounded the Warriors, 58-33.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: UCI saw all 15 players score at least three points with four in double figures. Olivia Williams (5-6 FG) and Nikki Tom (4-5 FG) tied for the team lead with 13 each, while Melodie Kapinga registered her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in 13 minutes of action. Eight of her boards came on the offensive end. Naomi Hunt added 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting (3-4 3FG) in her UC Irvine debut.
 
Kayla Williams was just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine assists to go along with five rebounds. Sophia Locandro also had nine points and two blocks. Freshmen Déja Lee and Amelia Scharpf chipped in eight points apiece.
 
The Anteaters were also sharp on the defensive end, forcing 16 turnovers, while holding Westcliff to 30% shooting, including 3-of-15 from beyond the arc. Laura Tapia paced the Warriors with a game-high 16 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Olivia Williams got the scoring started with a 3-pointer, and UC Irvine extended its lead to 16-0 before Westcliff got on the board at the 6:21 mark. The 'Eaters then outscored the Warriors, 16-7, the rest of the way with a triple from Jayde Cadee and a layup from Caiyle Kaupu making it 32-11 at the end of the first quarter.
 
UCI kept its foot on the gas in the second period, pulling ahead 51-16 on a Tom three with 5:34 remaining in the half. Westcliff was then able to put together a mini run to close the gap to 28 (58-30) at the break.
 
It remained all 'Eaters in the second half, where they outscored the visitors, 56-23. UC Irvine matched the program's all-time scoring record on a bucket from Amelia Scharpf, before Tarryn Ross's 3-pointer with 2:14 left to play broke it at 110-51. They were the sophomore's first career points.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine is back in action on Thursday, Nov. 11, when it welcomes Southern Utah to the Bren Events Center for a 4 p.m. showdown.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine has now won its season opener in four of the last five seasons.
• Seven players made their Anteater debuts, including five who saw action in their first collegiate game.
• Since 2017-18, the 'Eaters are 37-16 (.698) at the Bren Events Center.
• Sophia Locandro recorded her 60th career block, and needs one more to tie Geanine Hobbs for 10th among UCI's all-time leaders.
• UC Irvine had the fifth 100-point game in program history, and fourth under head coach Tamara Inoue.
• Westcliff (1-1) was playing in its fourth game of the year, and second exhibition, after having its 2020-21 season canceled.