IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine's Chloe Webb and Kayla Williams combined for nearly half of the team's points as they led the Anteaters to a 79-70 victory over Long Beach State Friday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
After going back-and-forth in the opening minutes, the 'Eaters (13-7, 11-3 Big West) took the lead for good midway through the first period. Things started to click offensively as they shot 47% from the field, and 44% from 3-point range. They finished with 20 assists on 27 made field goals, while also scoring 19 points off 17 forced turnovers.
 
"We did a good job of sharing the ball, being patient and moving it from side-to-side," said UCI head coach Tamara Inoue. "When we didn't do that, we got into some trouble, so I'm proud of them for making those adjustments."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Redshirt freshman Kayla Williams recorded her first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out six assists and had a career-best six steals.
 
Sophomore Chloe Webb put up a career-best 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, to go along with four assists.
 
Sophomore Sophia Locandro added 10 points, six rebounds and three steals, while senior Dani Guglielmo chipped in a season-high nine points on three treys. Senior Haleigh Talbert contributed eight points and a season-best six assists.
 
The Beach (11-8, 10-7 Big West) shot 43% overall and 24% from beyond the arc. Naomi Hunt paced the visitors with 21 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: It was a seesaw battle in the opening minutes before UC Irvine went on a 13-0 run, capped by a Talbert three, to take a 17-7 lead late in the first quarter. Long Beach State was able to get a bucket in the final seconds to cut its deficit to single digits.
 
In the second period, the Anteaters increased their margin to 13 after back-to-back triples from Williams, but the Beach responded with a 12-0 rally to close the gap to one at the 4:42 mark. Williams then ended a nearly four-minute scoring drought with another trey, and the 'Eaters stayed out front, carrying a 33-30 advantage into the locker room.
 
The third frame started with a couple free throws for both sides. UCI then used a 12-4 spurt to pull ahead, 47-36, at the 6:06 mark. LBSU called a timeout and knocked down a 3-pointer out of the short break. Long Beach was able to keep it close as the Anteaters held a 58-51 cushion heading into the fourth.
 
A Williams steal and layup got the 'Eaters started in the final quarter. They continued to roll from there, matching their largest lead of the night at 70-57 following a Webb triple and a traditional three-point play from Talbert with 5:08 left. UC Irvine remained in control, leading by at least eight the rest of the way.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine and Long Beach State will be right back in the Bren Events Center tomorrow for both teams' regular-season finale. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
NOTES
• The Anteaters' 11 Big West wins are tied for second in program history.
• The 11 victories are the most by a UCI team since 1997-98.
• The 'Eaters have secured their fourth-straight season with at least 13 overall wins.
• UC Irvine has forced 17+ turnovers in all but two games this year.
• Kayla Williams' six steals are tied for third in single-game school history.
• Williams also moved into a tie for 10th in UCI's single-season record books with a Big West-leading 57 steals.
• Chloe Webb notched her second career 20-point game.
• Five different Anteaters connected from long distance in tonight's game.