LA JOLLA, Calif. - Behind a complete team effort, UC Irvine women's basketball took down UC San Diego, 59-44, Tuesday evening at RIMAC Arena.
 
The Anteaters (8-6, 3-0 Big West) remained unbeaten in conference play, and extended their win streak to a season-long three games.
 
Four players scored in double figures, while UCI won the battle in rebounding (38-35), offensive boards (12-5), turnovers forced (15-6), steals (11-3), points off turnovers (17-5) and second-chance points (14-5).
 
"Kayla Williams did a really good job of leading our team today," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "Offensively and defensively she calmed us down and made sure we knew what we were doing. I also really liked Naomi Hunt's leadership and the way she kept us settled. Déja Lee once again had a good game; her relentlessness on defense is making things happen for us."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Naomi Hunt played the entire 40 minutes and led UC Irvine with 15 points (6-12 FG), six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kayla Williams finished with 12 points and a game-high six assists, while Déja Lee had 12 points, five boards and three steals. Nikki Tom also put up 11 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Melodie Kapinga contributed six points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), a team-best seven rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block.
 
"My player of the game was Melodie," added Inoue. "She came in and played within herself to put up a phenomenal stat line."
 
Aishah Brown paced the Tritons with a game-high 18 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: After UC San Diego got the scoring started, UC Irvine put together a 14-0 run to take a 12-point lead at the 5:10 mark. But, the Anteaters then went cold, going scoreless the rest of the way, which allowed the Tritons to close the gap to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
 
UCSD (5-7, 2-1 Big West) kept the momentum in the second period, pulling within two before a traditional three-point play from Lee put UCI on top, 17-12. The home team then responded with a 9-0 rally to take the lead, and held a narrow 23-20 edge at the break.
 
Williams quickly tied it up in the third frame with a triple on the opening possession. After trading points over the next minute, it was UC San Diego that used a 9-3 spurt to pull ahead, 34-29, with 2:44 remaining. That would be the Tritons' largest lead, however, as five-straight points from Tom brought the 'Eaters back even, and a Lee putback at the buzzer gave them a 36-34 advantage.
 
It was all UC Irvine in the fourth as it outscored UCSD, 23-10. The Anteaters started with a 7-1 run, capped by a corner three from Lee, to go up, 43-35, with 8:07 to play. The Tritons were able to cut the deficit in half, but UCI finished strong for the 15-point victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center this weekend as it plays host to Hawai'i on Saturday, Jan. 15. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
 
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine used a different starting lineup for the third game in a row. 
• The Anteaters held their opponent to under 60 points for the fourth-straight outing.
• It is the first time this season they allowed fewer than 50 points.
• Déja Lee and Melodie Kapinga made their first career starts.
• Lee had her third consecutive game with three steals.  
• She also put up a season-best 12 points.
• Kayla Williams has scored 10+ points in each of her last 11 games played.
• The 'Eaters are out to their first 3-0 Big West start since 2010-11.