LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team came on strong in the second half to take down UC San Diego, 64-58, and earn a series split with the Tritons Saturday evening at RIMAC Arena.
 
The Anteaters got out to a slow start offensively, shooting just 17% (4-23) from inside the arc in the first half. But, they were able to keep it to a three-point deficit thanks to a 4-for-9 performance from long distance and a strong defensive effort.
 
The 'Eaters (12-7, 10-3 Big West) quickly turned things around after the break with a 16-5 run putting them on top, 41-33. UCI maintained an eight-point lead at the end of the third, but the Tritons put together a fourth-quarter rally to go up by one with three-and-a-half minutes left. Sophia Locandro then came up clutch with a couple free throws and a dagger three to put the visitors out front for good.
 
"It shows the ebbs and flows of our team right now," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "They are very capable, it's just about focus. Once they refocused and got back to it we started doing much better."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams led UC Irvine with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals. Sophomore Chloe Webb, who was sidelined for Friday's game, made her presence felt in her return with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. It was her fifth double-double of the season.
 
Senior Tahlia Garza added a season-best nine boards and four blocks. She now has 100 blocked shots in her career, becoming just the sixth 'Eater in program history to reach the century mark in that category.
 
"I can't say enough about Tahlia, I am really proud of her," praised Inoue. "I'm hard on her but she always bounces back and comes out and proves herself every time."
 
Sophomore Sophia Locandro and freshman Victoria Baker contributed nine points each.
 
Sydney Brown paced the Tritons with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Anteaters shot 35% from the field, 37% from beyond the arc and 89% (17-19) at the charity stripe. They held UCSD, one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Big West, to a 25% (8-32) clip from downtown and 32% overall.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: After falling behind 5-0, senior Dani Guglielmo got UC Irvine on the board with a 3-pointer at the 8:22 mark. The Anteaters continued on a 12-2 run, capped by a Williams jumper, to pull ahead by five with 5:37 remaining. The 'Eaters then went cold, going without a field goal the rest of the way, but they were able to limit UC San Diego to just four points during that stretch to hang on to a 13-11 lead.
 
UCI's offensive woes continued in the second period, allowing UCSD to go up, 16-13, with 6:00 to play in the half. Baker then ended UC Irvine's drought with a triple from the top of the key, and Williams followed with back-to-back jumpers to put the Anteaters on top, 20-16. The Tritons responded over the final four minutes, reclaiming a 28-25 advantage at the break.
 
After shooting just 25% in the first half, the 'Eaters started the third quarter making 7-of-10 from the field. An and-one from Webb got things started as UCI proceeded on a 16-5 spurt for a 41-33 margin. The two teams traded points down the stretch with UC Irvine carrying a 47-39 cushion into the final frame.
 
UC San Diego (5-8, 5-8 Big West) took back the momentum early in the fourth, knotting the score at 47-all following an 8-0 rally. Webb then made a pair of free throws, and after the lead changed hands a couple more times, two foul shots and a triple from Locandro put the Anteaters out front, 59-55, with 2:40 left to play. The 'Eaters then sealed the game at the charity stripe with Webb and Williams combining to make five free throws over the final 30 seconds for the 64-58 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center to host Long Beach State in its final two regular season games, March 5-6. The Anteaters will recognize their five seniors prior to next Saturday's game.
 
NOTES
• UCI reached the 10-win mark in Big West play for the fifth time in program history, and second under head coach Tamara Inoue.
• Tahlia Garza made her first start since Dec. 20, 2020.
• Garza recorded her 100th career block with 4:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
• As a team, UC Irvine finished with a season-high eight blocked shots.
• Chloe Webb owns a team-leading five double-doubles, four of which have come in Big West play.
• Kayla Williams has made at least one 3-pointer in 10 consecutive games.
• UC Irvine won its first game when trailing at halftime this year.