IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's basketball team got out to a quick start and never looked back in a 67-50 win over UC San Diego Tuesday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
The Anteaters (15-9, 10-3 Big West) outscored the Tritons, 25-9, in the first quarter where they shot 56% from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. UCI ended up leading for all but one minute and seven seconds in the game and went up by as many as 22 in the second half.
 
"Kayla Williams was great tonight, scoring when she needed to score and also getting her team involved," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "But, more importantly, I thought our defense was phenomenal, and that's what really helped us win this game."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Williams finished with a team-best 18 points to go along with six rebounds and seven assists. Sophia Locandro recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 points and a season-high tying 10 boards. She also had three steals and a block.
 
Jayde Cadee totaled 12 points on a 4-of-5 performance from long distance, and Olivia Williams added nine points and six rebounds.
 
The 'Eaters shot 39% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, while holding the Tritons to 32% and 21%, respectively. UCI also dominated the glass, outrebounding UCSD, 50-37.

Sydney Brown led UCSD with a game-high 21 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine struck first with a Locandro layup on the opening possession, and held a 6-4 edge at the 6:49 mark. UC San Diego then knocked down a 3-pointer to take its first and only lead of the night, but that was short-lived as K. Williams and Cadee responded with back-to-back triples. The Anteaters continued on a 19-2 run, and scored the final 13 points of the first quarter for a 25-9 advantage.
 
UCSD (9-13, 6-7 Big West) started the second period with a 5-0 spurt to close the gap to 11. K. Williams then came back with five unanswered before a Naomi Hunt layup pushed UCI's margin to 32-14 with 4:34 remaining. The home team stayed out front by double digits, taking a 34-20 lead into the break.
 
The two teams traded points to begin the third frame before the Tritons pulled to within 10 at the 4:08 mark. That was the closest they would get as Hunter Hernandez and Cadee followed with consecutive 3-pointers to put the 'Eaters on top, 45-29. UC Irvine increased its cushion to as many as 22 and held a comfortable 53-34 advantage heading into the fourth.
 
The Anteaters continued to roll in the final 10 minutes, going up, 60-40, on a three from O. Williams with 7:28 to play. The Tritons were unable to gain any real momentum the rest of the way as UCI led by at least 14 en route to the 67-50 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine will make its way to Hawai'i to take on the Rainbow Wahine in a pivotal Big West game this Saturday, Feb. 19. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. (HT)/5:30 p.m. (PT).
 
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine is the first Big West team to reach the 10-win benchmark in conference play.
• The 'Eaters secured their sixth 10-win conference season and third under head coach Tamara Inoue.
• They have reached double digits in the Big West win column in back-to-back campaigns for the first time in program history.
• Inoue moved into a tie for second in school history with 86 career victories.
• The Anteaters earned the regular-season series sweep against UC San Diego.
• In those two wins, UCI held the Tritons to 47.0 ppg on 32% shooting and 23% from beyond the arc.
• Jayde Cadee now has 132 career 3-pointers made, putting her in sole possession of fifth all-time at UC Irvine.
• Sophia Locandro had her third career double-double and first since Feb. 27, 2020.
• Locandro is the fourth different 'Eater to record a double-double this season.
• UC Irvine is now 6-0 when a player registers 10+ points and 10+ rebounds.
• Locandro has also tallied at least one block in five consecutive outings.