IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team defeated Cal State Fullerton, 71-58, Friday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
The Anteaters (10-6, 8-2 Big West) came out strong, taking the lead less than 30 seconds after the opening tip. They stayed out front until going cold in the third quarter which allowed the Titans to pull ahead by as many as seven. The 'Eaters then regrouped before the fourth period, and went on to outscore CSF, 26-11, for the 13-point victory.
 
"We started really well and had a few stops early on, but then we started to dip," said sophomore Sophia Locandro, who finished with 13 points. "Then in the fourth quarter, I think our communication got a lot better and we got a few boards as well. We just came together to get the win."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams led a trio of Anteaters in double figures with a game-high 14 points, while adding four assists and three steals. Sophomore Sophia Locandro also finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, while senior Haleigh Talbert notched 13 points (5-8 FG) and four boards.
 
Sophomore Chloe Webb, who was limited to 10 minutes due to foul trouble, contributed eight points and three steals, and senior Tahlia Garza pulled down six rebounds.
 
UCI shot 45% from the field and was 7-of-14 from beyond the arc, but had a rough time at the free throw line where it posted a 56% clip. The 'Eaters forced 18 turnovers and scored 25 points off those miscues.
 
The Titans (2-15, 1-12 Big West) finished the evening shooting 40% overall and 30% from long distance. Anniken Frey paced the visitors with 12 points, while Joy Krupa grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine struck first and took a 7-1 lead on an Alexus Seaton 3-pointer at the 7:29 mark. Cal State Fullerton chipped away, cutting the deficit to one, but the Anteaters responded with a 6-2 spurt to go up, 17-12, with 1:46 remaining. The two teams then traded threes down the stretch as the 'Eaters held a 21-18 edge at the end of the first quarter.
 
Back-to-back layups from Williams and Talbert to start the second period put UCI on top, 25-18. The home team stayed out front despite the Titans keeping it close. After seeing their lead trimmed down to two in the final minute, freshman Victoria Baker knocked down a triple and Williams made 1-of-2 at the charity stripe to give UC Irvine a 36-30 cushion at the half.
 
The Anteaters struggled to get much going in the third frame, going 2-for-14 from the field. Cal State Fullerton took advantage, starting on a 10-0 run for a 40-36 lead with 5:13 on the clock. The 'Eaters got back on the board with a couple free throws, but CSF proceeded to pull ahead, 47-40, with just over a minute to go. Sophomore Jayde Cadee then buried a three from the left wing, and after a steal, Baker converted a couple free throws to make it a two-point game (47-45).
 
UCI kept the momentum in the fourth, scoring the first five points to reclaim a 50-47 advantage. The Titans answered with a jumper, but the Anteaters punched right back with a 10-0 run, capped by five-straight points from Talbert, for a 60-49 lead. The 'Eaters continued to roll, closing the game with six unanswered points for the 71-58 victory.
 
UP NEXT: The Anteaters and Titans return to the Bren Events Center tomorrow to wrap up their two-game Big West series. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine is 8-2 in Big West play for the second time in fifth-year head coach Tamara Inoue's tenure (2017-18).
• Seven of the Anteaters' 10 wins have been decided by 10+ points.
• UCI and CSF came into tonight as the Big West's bottom two in free throw percentage.
• Both squads continued to struggle, shooting 56% and 64%, respectively.
• The 'Eaters have forced 17+ turnovers in 13-straight games.
• UC Irvine is 8-1 when it has three or more players score in double figures.
• Kayla Williams has led the team in assists in every game this year.
• Haleigh Talbert has registered 10+ points in each of the last four outings.
• Jayde Cadee had her 18th career game with multiple threes, ending an 0-for-8 slump from downtown.
• Tonight was UCI's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game.