IRVINE, Calif. - Behind a career night from sophomore Déja Lee, the UC Irvine women's basketball team routed UC Davis, 67-38, in front of 1,093 fans Thursday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
Lee, who made her fourth start of the season, finished with a career-high 22 points, eight rebounds and five steals. She went 5-for-9 from the field, a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc and 9-of-10 at the free throw line.
 
"I thought (Déja) ran the point with grace tonight," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "She was like a veteran point guard out there that did everything she needed to do to run the offense, and defensively she got after it too. I'm just really proud of her effort."
 
The Anteaters (10-3, 2-0 Big West) continued to impress on the defensive end as they have now held 11 of their 13 opponents, including each of their last seven, to under 60 points. The Aggies, who have a high-scoring offense, finished with fewer than 40 points for the first time since  they fell to No. 1 UConn, 97-37, on Dec. 5, 2013. UCI limited UCD to 22.8% shooting and a 2-of-23 performance from long distance.
 
The 'Eaters, who entered tonight's game ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense, moved up the charts to No. 4 as they bettered their average to 50.9 points allowed per game.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Lee led all players with 22 points and five steals, while sophomore Hunter Hernandez added 10 points, five rebounds and a team-best three assists. Graduate student Nyagoa Gony also pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks.
 
Sophomore Olivia Williams and junior Nevaeh Parkinson chipped in eight points each.
 
UCI shot 35.7% overall, 40% from 3-point range and 70% at the charity stripe.
 
Evanne Turner had a team-high eight points for UC Davis.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Behind a couple early 3-pointers from Nikki Tom and Hernandez, UC Irvine raced out to an 8-4 lead. UC Davis eventually pulled even at 10-all with 2:46 remaining, but a Parkinson layup and another triple from Hernandez put the Anteaters on top, 15-10. The Aggies made one more push, outscoring UCI, 6-0, in the final minute for their first lead of the game at 16-15.
 
UCD (4-8, 0-2 Big West) extended its margin to three with the first bucket of the second period, before Lee and Caiyle Kaupu combined for eight consecutive points that gave the 'Eaters a 23-18 advantage. UC Davis buried a three on its next possession, but it was all UC Irvine after that. Over the final seven minutes, the Anteaters went on an 11-1 run for a 34-22 cushion at the half.
 
The Aggies started the third frame with a 9-4 spurt to cut the deficit to 38-31 at the 3:54 mark. The 'Eaters then started to heat up with a Parkinson jumper and a Lee 3-pointer kicking off an 11-2 rally that made it 49-33 heading into the fourth.
 
UCI quickly went up by 20+ in the final quarter as Williams knocked down three free throws and Lee connected from beyond the arc once again for a 55-33 lead. The 'Eaters held strong defensively, giving up only five points in the final 10 minutes for the 67-38 victory.
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine will make its way to Long Beach State for its first Big West road contest on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Black & Blue Rivalry game is set for a 4 p.m. start at the Walter Pyramid.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine is the first Big West team to reach double digits in the win column.
• The Anteaters drew over 1,000 fans for the second time this season.
• Through 13 games, UCI has allowed 50.9 ppg, which ranks fourth in the nation.
• The 38 points allowed were the fewest the 'Eaters have given up in their all-time series with UC Davis which dates back to 1976.
• This is the 11th time the Anteaters have forced at least 20 turnovers.
• UC Irvine improved to 6-0 at home and has now won 12-straight at the Bren.
• Deja Lee's 22 points are the most by an 'Eater this season.
• She is also the fourth Anteater to record five steals in a game.
• Hunter Hernandez reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time in her last six outings.
• Olivia Williams eclipsed 100 career rebounds (101).