LAS VEGAS - The second-seeded UC Irvine women's basketball team is moving on to the Big West championship game for the first time since 1997 after a 68-59 semifinal win over No. 6 Cal Poly Friday evening at Michelob Ultra Arena.
 
The Anteaters (15-8) trailed most of the way up until the fourth quarter when a late push, sparked by and-ones from freshman Victoria Baker and sophomore Sophia Locandro put them on top, 62-57, with just over a minute remaining. The Mustangs then ended a four-minute scoring drought with a bucket, but the 'Eaters held them scoreless over the final 47 seconds, and sealed the victory at the free throw line where they were 6-for-6 down the stretch.
 
"I'm really proud of my team and their effort today," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "We had a slow start, but were able to pull it together at the end. A lot of credit to (Cal Poly head coach) Faith Mimnaugh; we know she's one of the toughest coaches out there, and she always makes us play our best game."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Sophomore Chloe Webb led the way with a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds. It was her second-straight 20-point game, and third in her last four outings. Sophomore Sophia Locandro added 11 points and six boards, while freshman Victoria Baker also finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals.
 
Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams chipped in 10 points, four boards and two assists in her return to the court after missing UCI's Big West quarterfinal game on Wednesday. Senior Haleigh Talbert also notched eight points and four steals.
 
The Anteaters shot only 34.5% from the field, but made eight threes and were 20-for-25 (80%) at the free throw line. They also forced the Mustangs into 19 turnovers.
 
The Mustangs (13-11) shot 41.8% overall, were 4-of-18 from long distance and 9-of-13 at the charity stripe. Abbey Ellis had a team-best 15 points and eight rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine took an early 4-0 lead following buckets from senior Tahlia Garza and Locandro. Cal Poly started the game 0-for-5 from the field before knocking down a 3-pointer at the 5:59 mark. That got the Mustangs going as they continued on a 12-0 run to pull ahead by eight. Baker then ended a six-minute scoring drought for the Anteaters with an and-one, but CP held a 16-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
The 'Eaters regrouped after the short break in action, starting the second period with a three-point play from Webb and a triple from Talbert. After Cal Poly extended its margin back to nine, UCI went on a 14-4 spurt, capped by a couple free throws from Williams, to even the score at 25-all with 4:24 to go. The Mustangs refused to give up the lead, but UC Irvine kept it close, trailing 34-31 at the half.
 
Cal Poly stayed out front in the third frame until the Anteaters rallied to go up, 47-46, with just over a minute remaining. Webb scored seven points during the 11-4 stretch that gave the 'Eaters their first lead since the opening minutes. It went back-and-forth the rest of the way with the teams in a 48-48 deadlock heading into the fourth.
 
The seesaw battle continued early on in the final quarter with three tie scores. Talbert opened the scoring with a three, but Cal Poly answered on the other end, and went up, 57-55, at the 5:27 mark. After a Webb free throw, Baker and Sophia had back-to-back three-point plays to give UCI a five-point lead with 1:01 remaining. The Mustangs closed the gap to 62-59 on an Ellis bucket, but the Anteaters held them scoreless the rest of the way and secured the 68-59 victory at the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine will take on top-seeded UC Davis in the Big West championship game at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. The winner will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Click here to register for a virtual championship game watch party hosted by the UCI Alumni Association.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine advances to the Big West championship game for the first time since 1997.
• The Anteaters will be playing for the program's second Big West Tournament title, and first since 1995.
• The 'Eaters will get a chance to face top-seeded UC Davis for the first time this season.
• The two teams' Big West regular-season series was canceled back in January.
• In two Big West Tournament games, Chloe Webb is averaging 20.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.5 spg.
• Webb has reached double figures in scoring in six consecutive outings.
• Haleigh Talbert matched her career high with four steals in each of the last two contests.