BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team made the adjustments it needed to earn a series split with a dominant 63-42 victory over CSU Bakersfield Saturday evening at the Icardo Center.
 
The Anteaters (9-6, 6-1 Big West) came back strong from a tough loss last night as they held the Roadrunners to a season-low 42 points and earned their largest margin of victory this year.  
 
"Last night, we played a little timid," said UCI head coach Tamara Inoue. "It was like we didn't want to get in the fray with them, but we're tough. We have power, strength and speed, and we have to use that to our advantage in every scout. Today, we really wanted to pound the ball inside because I thought that was where our strength was watching film, and we did a really good job doing that."
 
The 'Eaters, who held an advantage in nearly every statistical category, were impressive on the boards where they won the battle, 38-31. They were also 25-of-37 at the free throw line, while the 'Runners only got to the charity stripe nine times. In addition, UCI shot 41% from the field, forced 24 turnovers and limited CSUB to a 30% clip.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Sophomore Chloe Webb led the way with a game-high 13 points and seven rebounds. Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams also finished with 12 points, five boards, three assists and a career-best five steals. Senior Haleigh Talbert notched her third-straight double-figure scoring game with 10 points as she went 8-for-8 at the free throw line.
 
Senior Tahlia Garza and sophomore Sophia Locandro added eight and seven points, respectively, while senior Alexus Seaton pulled down a season-high six rebounds. Sophomore Melodie Kapinga contributed four boards in six minutes played.
 
Bakersfield did not have any players reach double figures in scoring as they were paced by Andie Easley, who finished with nine points and six assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Locandro got the scoring started with a layup 41 seconds into the game. After CSU Bakersfield answered on the other end, UC Irvine proceeded on a 10-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Williams, for a 12-2 lead at the 6:08 mark. The two teams went back-and-forth over the final five minutes with the 'Eaters going up, 16-8, at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Roadrunners (7-7, 5-5 Big West) got hot early in the second period, cutting the deficit to 19-16 with 6:06 remaining in the half. Seaton then made a couple free throws to shift the momentum back to the Anteaters' side as they scored seven unanswered to reclaim a double-digit lead. After trading buckets down the stretch, UCI took a 28-18 advantage at the break.
 
UC Irvine scored the first eight points of the third quarter to extend its margin to 36-18 at the 7:35 mark. The 'Eaters remained in the driver's seat with an answer to every attempt by CSUB to make a run, and owned a comfortable 49-31 cushion heading into the fourth.
 
UCI kept its foot on the gas in the final frame with an 11-4 spurt making it 60-35 with 4:19 left to play. The Anteaters stayed out front by at least 20 the rest of the way.    
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center next weekend to start a season-long four-game homestand against UC Riverside, Feb. 12-13.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine is 6-1 in Big West play for the first time since 1994-95.
• The Roadrunners' 42 points were the fewest allowed by the Anteaters this season.
• It was also the fewest points UCI has given up against a DI opponent since a 43-39 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 16, 2013.
• The 'Eaters have forced at least 20 turnovers six times, including in each of the last three outings.
• UC Irvine is 7-1 when it has three or more players score in double figures.
• The Anteaters have won seven of their last eight road games.
• Chloe Webb, a 5-foot-8 guard, has led UCI in rebounding nine times, including in seven of the last eight contests.
• Kayla Williams has made a 3-pointer in six consecutive outings.