Postgame Press Conference

LAS VEGAS - The second-seeded UC Irvine women's basketball team battled to a 92-90 win over No. 7 seed UC Santa Barbara in the quarterfinals of the Air Force Reserve Big West Championships Wednesday evening at Michelob Ultra Arena.
 
The Anteaters (14-8) showed their grit as they fought back from a 12-point deficit in the first half and overcame a Big West Tournament-record 18 3-pointers from the Gauchos. The 'Eaters weren't too shabby from beyond the arc themselves, as they knocked down 10 threes on 17 attempts (58.8%).
 
"I'm really proud of my team and the fight they showed today," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "There were a lot of times where we could have hung our heads because threes are like dunks in the women's game. To the credit of my team, they kept getting after it and going strong."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: UCI had six players score in double figures, led by sophomore Chloe Webb, who had 20 points to go along with eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
 
Sophomore Jayde Cadee tied her season high with 15 points on a 5-for-9 performance from long distance. Senior Haleigh Talbert and sophomore Sophia Locandro added 14 points each, while freshman Victoria Baker finished with 12. Senior Dani Guglielmo rounded out the group with a season-best 10 points (3-5 3FG).
 
Talbert chipped in a game-high four steals, and Baker led all players with a season-best six assists.
 
The 'Eaters finished the night shooting 55.9% (33-59) from the field, and scored 24 points off 18 forced turnovers.
 
UCSB shot 42.9% (29-59) overall and a blistering 62.1% (18-29) from downtown. Taylor Mole anchored the effort with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Santa Barbara (7-14) struck first and took a 9-5 lead at the 6:41 mark. Baker then converted a traditional three-point play, while freshman Caiyle Kaupu followed with an up-and-under to give UC Irvine its first lead of the night. That was short-lived, however, as the Gauchos responded with a three and proceeded to pull ahead, 17-12. The Anteaters punched right back with a 6-0 spurt, but UCSB made a couple free throws in the final seconds for a 19-18 edge.
 
The lead changed hands four times in the first three minutes of the second period before UC Santa Barbara went on a 19-6 run for a 43-31 advantage with 2:34 remaining in the half. The 'Eaters then started to chip away as they outscored the Gauchos, 9-3, with a Webb triple at the buzzer making it 46-40 at the break.
 
Both teams really got going in the third frame where they combined to make 10-of-14 from beyond the arc. UCSB used the three-ball to increase its cushion to 60-50 at the 6:08 mark. UCI then came storming back with a 16-5 rally, capped by a four-point play from Guglielmo, to go up 67-65. It continued to go back-and-forth with the Gauchos owning a narrow 70-67 margin heading into the fourth.
 
UC Irvine took the momentum in the final frame with treys from Talbert and Cadee sparking an 11-2 spurt over the first few minutes for the Anteaters' largest lead of the game at 78-72. UC Santa Barbara stayed within striking distance and used back-to-back triples to reclaim an 81-80 advantage. Locandro answered with a layup on the other end and a seesaw battle ensued.
 
After UCI went up, 90-87, on two free throws from Baker with 27 seconds remaining, UCSB's Megan Anderson drained a triple to tie it up for the fourth time in the final four minutes. Talbert then came up clutch for UC Irvine with a drive and finish making it 92-90 with seven ticks on the clock.
 
The Gauchos had a chance to tie it once again with exactly one second to go as they drew a foul, but missed the first free throw. Trying to intentionally miss the second, the ball didn't hit the rim giving it back to the Anteaters, who were able to inbound it and avoid getting fouled before the clock ran out.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine advances to the semifinals of the Air Force Reserve Big West Championships on Friday, March 12. The 'Eaters will face No. 6 Cal Poly at 3 p.m.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine advances to the semifinals for the eighth time in program history, and second in the last three years.
• The Anteaters had five or more players score in double figures for the third time this season.
• It is also the second time this season they have had six players with 10+ points in a game.
• The 'Eaters established program-bests for Big West Tournament games in points (92), field goals made (33) and FG% (55.9).
• Jayde Cadee has knocked down multiple threes 21 times in her career.
• In her two career Big West Tournament games played, Cadee has made 11 triples (5.5/gm).
• Chloe Webb had her second 20-point performance in the team's last three games.
• Webb has reached double figures in scoring in five consecutive outings.
• Big West Freshman of the Year Kayla Williams missed her first game of the season.