FULLERTON, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team never trailed in a 75-67 win over Cal State Fullerton Thursday evening at Titan Gym.
 
The Anteaters (9-7, 4-1 Big West) got out to a hot start, going up by as many as 16 in the second quarter. Bolstered by 26 trips to the free throw line, where they scored 22 of their total points, the Titans clawed their way back, tying it up at 60-60 with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The 'Eaters would go right back on top with a three from Jayde Cadee, and after trading buckets over the next few minutes, Kayla Williams took over, leading the visitors to the eight-point victory.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Kayla Williams finished with a season-high 25 points to go along with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Sophia Locandro added 16 points, six boards and two blocks, while Hunter Hernandez had seven points and a season-best eight rebounds. Olivia Williams chipped in eight points and three steals.
 
UCI shot 46% (26-57) from the field and 83% (19-23) at the free throw line, while CSF was 40% (21-53) overall and 85% (22-26) at the charity stripe. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc where they combined to go 7-for-30.
 
Kathryn Neff paced the Titans with 17 points and 16 rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine took the early lead with back-to-back buckets from Déja Lee. The Anteaters stayed out front and eventually used an 11-2 run, capped by a Locandro jumper, to pull ahead, 19-9, at the 3:41 mark.
 
Cal State Fullerton (6-8, 1-3 Big West) was able to close the gap to six, but the 'Eaters scored the final four points with a couple free throws from Chloe Webb and a layup from Caiyle Kaupu to end the first quarter with a 25-15 advantage.
 
UCI kept the momentum in the second period, starting with a Kayla Williams and-one. The visitors continued to roll, taking their largest lead of the night at 36-20 following a putback by Olivia Williams with 2:11 remaining. The Titans then took advantage at the foul line where they were 8-of-9 over the final two minutes to cut UC Irvine's lead to 38-30 at the break.
 
The Anteaters built their cushion back to 14 after outscoring Cal State Fullerton, 8-2, in the first four minutes of the third frame. The 'Eaters remained in control as they led by as many as seven before CSF closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to make it a two-point game (54-52).
 
Hernandez scored five of her seven points early in the fourth to keep UCI on top, but the Titans eventually knotted it up at 60-60 with 5:24 left to play. UC Irvine answered on its next possession with Jayde Cadee draining a three from the top of the key.
 
Cal State Fullerton would come within one two more times before the Anteaters pulled away, starting with buckets from Locandro and Williams that made it 69-64 at the 1:10 mark. CSF was never able to recover as Williams made four free throws down the stretch for the 75-67 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center on Saturday, Jan. 22, for a Black & Blue Rivalry showdown with Long Beach State. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
 
 
NOTES
• Head coach Tamara Inoue earned her 80th career win.
• The Anteaters have now won five in a row against Cal State Fullerton and lead the all-time series, 45-39.
• UCI improved to 8-0 when outrebounding its opponent this season.
• The 'Eaters were whistled for a season-high 27 fouls.
• Kayla Williams had her second-straight 20-point performance, third of the year and eighth of her career.
• Williams has reached double figures in scoring in 13 consecutive appearances.
• Saturday's game will be a first-place battle with UCI and LBSU tied atop the league standings at 4-1.