IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's basketball team showed their composure and resiliency Monday night, overcoming a late three-point deficit in a 71-63 win over Eastern Washington at the Bren Events Center.
 
The Anteaters (2-2) were out front the entire game until an 8-0 run by the Eagles gave them their first lead of the night at 61-58 with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
Nevaeh Parkinson answered with back-to-back layups to reclaim the advantage before Nevaeh Dean knocked down a clutch three to make it a four-point cushion with 36 seconds on the clock. UCI continued to lock down defensively and got it done at the free throw line to hand Eastern Washington (3-1) its first loss of the young season.
 
"Defensively we never quit," said head coach Tamara Inoue. "We were a little discombobulated because they run a fast offense and get quick shots, but I thought we stuck with it and got those rebounds when we needed it. We fought through it and didn't get rattled. I'm really proud of our team for fighting through until the end and being able to finish."
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Seniors Nevaeh Parkinson and Nevaeh Dean led four 'Eaters in double figures as they tied for the team lead with 15 points apiece. Parkinson was 7-of-8 from the floor and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Dean was 6-of-9 overall and drained both of her 3-point attempts. She also finished with five boards, two steals and two blocks.
 
Junior Déja Lee added 14 points (6-6 FT), while classmate Nikki Tom registered 11 points and a career-high tying five steals. Senior Diaba Konate dished out a season-best eight assists to go along with seven points. Freshman Shirel Nahum contributed seven points and six rebounds.
 
As a team, the Anteaters shot 46% (26-57) overall, 35% (6-17) from beyond the arc and 72% (13-18) at the free throw line.
 
Jamie Loera and Aaliyah Alexander both finished with a game-high 17 points to lead EWU. Loera added six rebounds and five steals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Dean scored the first four points of the game to lift UC Irvine to an early 8-0 lead. Eastern Washington got on the board at the 6:40 mark and proceeded to close the gap to one. Lee put a halt to the rally with a triple and the Anteaters continued to outscore the Eagles, 10-3, over the final 2:30 for an 18-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
The 'Eaters kept the momentum to start the second period with buckets from Parkinson and Nahum putting them on top, 22-10, with 8:33 remaining. After EWU cut the deficit to five, a 10-2 run that was bookended by threes from Nahum and Tom, gave the home team a 32-19 edge at the 4:07 mark. Eastern Washington brought it back within single digits (34-27) at the break.
 
The two teams traded points over the first three minutes of the third frame. The Eagles then scored five unanswered to make it 38-36 with 4:51 to go. Parkinson responded with the next three points and UC Irvine turned that into a 10-2 spurt to pull ahead, 48-38.
 
The Anteaters maintained a comfortable margin in the fourth until EWU made a furious rally. Trailing by five with 4:13 left, the Eagles went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to take their first lead of the night at 61-58. Parkinson had the answer once again with back-to-back layups putting UCI on top, 62-61. Dean then knocked down a dagger three with 36 seconds remaining.  
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine makes its way to Stockton, California, for the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off this weekend. The Anteaters will face St. Thomas (MN) on Friday, Nov. 24, and tournament host Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 25.
 
NOTES
• UC Irvine has given up fewer than 70 points in 38 consecutive outings.
• Dating back to last year, the Anteaters have won five-straight home games.
• Since 2017-18, they are 60-22 (.732) at the Bren Events Center.
• Eastern Washington was picked as the Big Sky preseason favorite and entered tonight's game averaging 77.7 points per contest.
• Nevaeh Dean set career highs in points (15) and 3-pointers made (2), while tying her best in field goals made (6) and blocks (2).
• Nevaeh Parkinson has pulled down 7+ rebounds in all four games this year.
• Déja Lee remained perfect at the free throw line where she is 15-of-15 on the season.
• Diaba Konate surpassed 400 assists in her collegiate career, while Lee reached the 100-assist milestone.
• Nikki Tom had her third game with 3+ steals and leads the team with 13 (3.3/gm).