LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team dropped a 66-63 decision to UC San Diego Friday evening at RIMAC Arena.
 
After trailing for most of the first half, the Anteaters started the third quarter on an 11-0 run to take their first lead since the 6:53 mark of the opening period.

A back-and-forth affair ensued in the final frame where there were five lead changes and two tie scores. It was the 'Eaters who were primed to pull away as they went up 58-53 on a three-point play from Kayla Williams with 5:18 remaining, but the Tritons ended up outscoring the visitors, 13-5, down the stretch for the victory.
 
UCI was without the services of sophomore Chloe Webb, while seniors Haleigh Talbert and Alexus Seaton both left the game with injuries.
 
UCSD, which ranks second in the Big West in 3-point field goals made, went 12-for-26 from downtown.
 
"We know UC San Diego is a 3-point shooting team, so with them we have to be smart about that," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "With our injuries, I just think we took a lot of hits today, and when they're big players like that, everyone else has to step up. But, there are no excuses, UC San Diego did a great job today. For us, it was just about trying to survive tonight."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Sophomore Sophia Locandro led all players with 18 points to go along with five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Freshman Victoria Baker tied her season high with 17 points as she went 6-for-9 from the field, and a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams also registered 10 points, four boards and six assists, while senior Alexus Seaton contributed seven points and three steals before exiting the game in the fourth quarter.
 
The 'Eaters shot 41% from the field and were 6-of-16 (38%) from 3-point range. They scored 18 points off 17 forced turnovers, and dominated in the paint where they held a 32-12 advantage.
 
UCSD shot 43% overall and 46% from long distance. Aishah Brown led the way with 13 points and nine rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine (11-7, 9-3 Big West) struck first with a steal and layup from Seaton at the 9:41 mark. The Anteaters proceeded to go up, 7-2, on a Williams 3-pointer, before UC San Diego responded with an 8-0 run for its first lead of the night. Senior Tahlia Garza ended a nearly three-minute scoring drought with a layup, but the Tritons would stay out front, holding a 15-12 edge at the end of the first quarter.
 
UCSD (5-7, 5-7 Big West) started the second period with an easy layup forcing Inoue to call a quick timeout. Locandro then scored the next four points to make it a one-point game, but UC San Diego then connected on three triples for a 9-2 spurt to pull ahead, 26-18, with 6:44 remaining. The two teams would trade buckets before the 'Eaters used a 9-3 rally of their own, capped by a three-point play from Seaton, to cut the deficit to 31-28. That was the closest UCI would get in the half as the Tritons carried a 36-31 advantage into the locker room.
 
UC Irvine took control after the break, starting the third period on an 11-0 run for a 42-36 lead at the 4:51 mark. Baker knocked down a couple triples and scored nine unanswered points during that stretch. UCSD then got back on the board and started to chip away, tying it up at 46-46 with 1:30 on the clock. Garza broke the deadlock on the next possession, and that score would hold as the Anteaters owned a two-point cushion heading into the fourth.
 
After UC San Diego reclaimed the lead to start the final frame, a Baker 3-pointer sparked an 8-2 spurt for the 'Eaters that put them on top, 58-53, at the 5:18 mark. The Tritons punched back with five unanswered points before a Locandro jumper gave UCI its final lead of the night at 60-59 with 2:50 left to play. UCSD made the last push for the 66-63 win.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine and UC San Diego will square off again tomorrow at 5 p.m.
 
NOTES
• The Anteaters suffered their first loss to the Tritons, dropping to 6-1 in the all-time series.
• The two teams had not met since March 3, 1979.
• UC Irvine suffered its first loss when leading with five minutes left in regulation (9-1).
• UCI has shot over 40% from the field in eight of its last nine outings.
• The 'Eaters have also forced 17+ turnovers in 15-straight games.
• Haleigh Talbert made her 100th career 3-pointer with just under a minute left in the first quarter.
• Kayla Williams has led the Anteaters in assists in every game this season.
• Sophia Locandro had her 25th career double-figure scoring performance.