RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team outscored UC Riverside, 23-3, in the fourth quarter to run away with its fifth-straight win, defeating the Highlanders, 60-44, Thursday evening at SRC Arena.
 
The Anteaters (14-8, 9-2 Big West) shot 28% through the first three quarters, and trailed by four before coming alive in the final 10 minutes where they went 8-for-17 from the field. They scored the first four points to quickly tie it up, and after UCR reclaimed the lead, UCI went on a 15-0 run to go up for good.
 
"I'm proud of our team," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "I didn't think we were shooting very well today, and we were forcing it a little bit, but I told them before the fourth quarter that we just had to be smart and grind this win out. They did a good job of that; second-chance points and our press is really where we got it done."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Kayla Williams scored 10 of her game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, while she also tied her career high with six steals. Chloe Webb recorded her third double-double of the season with 13 points (6-9 FG) and 13 rebounds. Sophia Locandro and Tara Dusharm added eight points apiece, and Naomi Hunt finished with five points, nine boards and four steals.
 
The 'Eaters forced 19 turnovers with a season-best 14 steals, and they dominated the glass, outrebounding the Highlanders, 51-35. UCI also won the battle in points off turnovers (19-12), points in the paint (34-18), second-chance points (17-4) and fast-break points (15-0).
 
Jordan Webster paced UCR with 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Riverside (6-10, 3-6 Big West) took an early 6-2 lead before UC Irvine scored five unanswered for its first advantage of the night. It then went back-and-forth with four lead changes over the final five minutes of the first quarter. The Anteaters had the last bucket of the period, going up 15-14 on a Dusharm layup.
 
The 'Eaters pulled ahead, 19-16, on a Webb layup at the 6:46 mark of the second frame, but the Highlanders then used a 9-0 spurt for a 25-19 cushion with just under four minutes remaining in the half. Dusharm ended UCR's rally with back-to-back buckets, and Williams followed with a three to put UCI back on top with the visitors holding a 28-27 edge at the break.
 
UC Riverside struck first in the third and led for the entire quarter. The Highlanders went up by as many as eight (39-31) with 3:40 to play, but UC Irvine was able to cut the deficit in half as a couple layups from Locandro made it 41-37 heading into the fourth.
 
It was all Anteaters in the final 10 minutes where they outscored UCR, 23-3. A big part of their best offensive period was sparked by their defense as they forced eight turnovers with seven steals, while holding the Highlanders to 1-of-9 from the field.
 
UC Riverside took its final lead of the night at 43-41 with 7:40 to play before UC Irvine went on a big 15-0 run over the next six minutes to break it open, 58-43. The Highlanders were only able to muster one more point as the Anteaters secured the 60-44 win.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine stays on the road this weekend, making its way to UC Davis for a 2 p.m. Big West game on Saturday, Feb. 12.
 
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine held its opponent to under 60 points for the fourth-straight game.
• The Anteaters improved to 10-1 when allowing fewer than 60 points this season.
• The 'Eaters are 9-2 in Big West play for the second consecutive year.
• They are still tied for first with Long Beach State in the conference standings.
• Chloe Webb had her third double-double of the season and eighth of her career.
• Webb also surpassed 600 career points (606).
• Kayla Williams had her eighth-straight outing with multiple steals.
• Her six takeaways were a season-best and matched her career high.
• Nine of UC Irvine's 14 wins have come by 10+ points.
• The 'Eaters swept their regular-season series with UC Riverside.
• They have also won three in a row against the Highlanders, and five of the last six.
• UCI is 5-0 in Big West road games.