California Baptist (6-3) at
UC Irvine (8-2)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 2 p.m. (PST)
Location: Bren Events Center (5,000) - Irvine, Calif.

IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine women's basketball returns to non-conference action on Saturday, Dec. 13, when it welcomes future Big West member California Baptist to the Bren Events Center for a 2 p.m. showdown.
 
STARTING FIVE: STORYLINES
• UC Irvine is on a seven-game win streak, which is tied for the fourth-longest in program history. The Anteaters' last stretch of seven victories in a row was from Feb. 9-March 4, 2023. After their last two wins as part of The Big West's Bold Week, the 'Eaters moved to 2-0 in conference for the sixth year in a row. They have been dominant in Big West regular-season games over the last five-plus seasons with a 74-19 (.796) record since 2020-21.

• In its eight wins, UCI has led for 305 of 320 minutes played. The Anteaters trailed in a win only twice, falling behind Wichita State for 1:16 in the first quarter, and starting in a hole for the first 4:22 of an eventual 26-point victory at CSUN. In their eight wins, the 'Eaters own a +21.1 scoring margin, while outrebounding their opponents 328-272 (+7.0). In addition, they have forced 15+ turnovers in each of those games with a +6.0 turnover margin.

• UC Irvine has been flexing its defensive muscle lately, holding each of its last six opponents to under 60 points, and its last three to under 50. The Anteaters now lead the Big West in scoring defense (55.6 ppg), scoring margin (+14.3), field goal percentage defense (34.3%), and rebounding margin (+5.5).

• On Dec. 8, senior Hunter Hernandez earned UC Irvine's first Big West Player of the Week award this season, and third of her career. Hernandez was recognized following a career-high 31-point performance in a 72-46 win at CSUN. She went 11-of-25 from the field and 8-of-9 at the free throw line. The 5-foot-9 guard also finished with eight rebounds, two steals, and one assist without committing a turnover. Two days earlier, she put up 16 points and four boards in a 77-40 victory at UC Riverside. For the week, Hernandez averaged 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals with a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. She now leads the team in both scoring (15.7 ppg) and free throw percentage (88%) through 10 games. Hernandez needs 21 more points to reach 1,000 in her career.

• Senior Jada Wynn is tops on the squad and ranks second in the Big West with four double-doubles. She started conference play with back-to-back double-doubles last week, finishing with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds at UC Riverside, and 18 points/12 boards at CSUN. On the season, the 6-foot-1 guard is averaging 14.8 points and a team-best 9.4 rebounds. She also leads the Anteaters in assists (37) and steals (17).

SCOUTING THE LANCERS
California Baptist (6-3) has dropped two in a row, most recently falling at Boise State, 82-80, last Saturday. Freshman guard Lauren Olsen leads four Lancers in double-figure scoring at 13.8 points per game. Junior guard Filipa Barros is also tops on the squad in rebounding (10.6 rpg), assists (6.2 apg), and steals (2.7 spg). CBU is set to join The Big West in 2026-27. Four of its nine opponents so far this season have been current Big West members. California Baptist is 3-1 in those games with wins over UC Riverside, Long Beach State, and CSUN, and the loss coming to UC Santa Barbara.

SERIES RECORD
UC Irvine trails in its short all-time series with California Baptist, 2-0. The two teams first met in Irvine on Nov. 28, 2020, with the Lancers pulling away for the 72-55 victory. The next meeting was much closer with CBU taking a 93-88 overtime win in Riverside on Nov. 20, 2021.

MID-MAJOR RANKINGS
UC Irvine and CBU were both receiving votes in the latest College Insider Women's Mid-Major Poll released on Dec. 9. The Anteaters were one of two Big West schools featured in the RV section as they were joined by UC San Diego. Conference foe UC Santa Barbara also climbed to No. 13 in the rankings.

CHASING 1,000
Hunter Hernandez has 979 career points, putting her 21 away from becoming the 16th member of UCI women's basketball's 1,000-point club. If she accomplishes the feat, it would be the second-straight season an Anteater reached the 1K milestone as Déja Lee did it in 2024-25.

LAST TIME OUT
Hunter Hernandez scored a career-high 31 points to lead UC Irvine to a 72-46 win over CSUN Saturday at Premier America Credit Union Arena in Northridge. Hernandez was the first Anteater to record a 30-point game since Jan. 23, 2021. She went 11-for-25 from the field and 8-of-9 at the free throw line. Hernandez added eight rebounds. Jada Wynn recorded her second-straight double-double with 18 points and 12 boards. Wynn knocked down four threes and was a perfect 6-of-6 at the charity stripe. Naomy Zonzon-Huyghe also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points (5-8 FG), while pulling down a season-best seven rebounds. Shirel Nahum chipped in five points and four steals. The 'Eaters forced 20 turnovers and outrebounded the Matadors, 48-34. They held a lopsided advantage in points off turnovers (22-6), points in the paint (28-18), and second-chance points (22-4).

DEFEND THE BREN
Since 2017-18, UCI is 84-26 (.763) at the Bren Events Center. Last year, the 'Eaters went 12-2 in Irvine, tying the single-season school record for home wins. This year, the Anteaters are 4-0 with a +18.3 scoring margin at the Bren. They have 11 more home games on their schedule.

WIDE MARGIN
UC Irvine has led for 305:33 of 320 minutes played in its eight wins this season. UCI trailed in only two of those games, falling behind for fewer than five minutes in the first quarter against Wichita State (1:16) and CSUN (4:22). Four of their eight victories have been by 20+ points as the 'Eaters own a +21.1 scoring margin. In games they have won, the Anteaters are shooting 39.7% from the field, 32.2% from distance, and 83.6% at the free throw line. They have also outrebounded their opponents, 328-226 (+7.0), and own a +6.0 turnover margin. 

DEFENSIVE IDENTITY
UCI ended each of the last three seasons ranked among the top-15 in the nation in scoring defense. The Anteaters were 10th in 2024-25 (54.3 ppg), 14th in 2023-24 (55.7 ppg), and seventh in 2022-23 with a school-record 53.2 points allowed per game. After a slow start defensively this year where the 'Eaters gave up more than 60 points in three-straight games for the first time since January 2022, they have locked in, holding each of their last six opponents to 55 points or less. UC Irvine currently ranks first in the Big West in scoring defense (55.6 ppg).

BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
As of Dec. 11, UC Irvine ranks first in the Big West and sixth in the nation in in free throw percentage (82.1%). The Anteaters have fewer than five misses from the charity stripe in seven of their 10 games. Individually, Hunter Hernandez (14th, 51) and Jada Wynn (16th, 50) are among the top-20 in the nation in free throws made. Four 'Eaters are also shooting 80% or better with at least 10 attempts from the foul line - Hernandez (87.9%), Wynn (86.2%), Shirel Nahum (82.3%), and Naomy Zonzon-Huyghe (80%).

FAMILY TIES
Senior Jada Wynn has returned home for the final season of her collegiate career. After spending the last two years at Texas Tech, the Yorba Linda native is back in Orange County to play in front of her family. One family member will be on the bench as Jada is the eldest daughter of UCI assistant coach Derek Wynn.

WYNN-ING MENTALITY
After averaging 3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists at Texas Tech, Jada Wynn is putting up career numbers as an Anteater. She ranks second on the squad with 14.8 points per game, while leading the team in rebounding (9.4 rpg), assists (3.7 apg), and steals (1.7 spg). The 6-foot-1 guard owns eight double-figure scoring games and four double-doubles, while pulling down at least six boards in all 10 outings. She also dished out 6+ assists on four occasions. Wynn is coming off back-to-back double-doubles, finishing with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds at UC Riverside, and 18 points and 12 boards at CSUN. Over the last six games, Wynn has been extremely efficient, shooting 45.3% (24-53) from the field, 51.6% (16-31) from deep, and 100% (15-15) at the free throw line.

TAKING THE LEAD
Fifth-year senior Hunter Hernandez is tops on the squad with 15.7 points per game, while she ranks second in rebounding (5.6 rpg). The 5-foot-9 guard, who is UCI's only returning starter from last year, has 50 career double-figure scoring games including eight 20+ point performances. Last Saturday, Hernandez dropped a career-high 31 points in a win at CSUN. She was the first 'Eater with a 30-point game since Jan. 23, 2021. In addition, she is the team's active career double-double leader with six. Hernandez is a two-time first-team All-Big West selection (2024-25 and 2022-23), while she made the All-Freshman Team in 2021-22. She missed the 2023-24 season recovering from a second ACL injury.

ON POINT
Junior Shirel Nahum has taken on the starting point guard role after the graduation of two-time first-team All-Big West selection and 2023-24 Big West Player of the Year Déja Lee. Nahum had a breakout performance in a 90-75 win over Northern Arizona as she finished with a career-high 23 points (3-6 3FG, 8-8 FT). Over the last five games, Nahum has settled in as a primary playmaker with 17 assists against nine turnovers. She dished out a career-best seven dimes in a win over Colgate on Nov. 29. On the season, Nahum is averaging 8.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per outing.

SHARPSHOOTER
Sophomore Lauryn Madsen registered a career-high 15 points on a 5-of-9 performance from beyond the arc in a win over Bowling Green on Nov. 21. Madsen was the first Anteater to knock down five threes in a game since March 2, 2024. The Warden, Washington, native also buried four triples against Wichita State (14 points), vs. San Diego (12 points), and at Idaho State (12 points).  Madsen is second on the squad in threes made (23) and first in threes attempted (72). Only three of her 26 field goals and seven of her 79 attempts have been from inside the arc this season. In 32 career games played, Madsen has a triple in 22 of them, and drained multiple treys eight times. For the season, the 5-foot-11 guard is averaging 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest. 

STATEMENT DEBUT
Freshman Nohe'alani Stores has reached double figures in scoring on five occasions, and ranks fifth on the team with 7.7 points per game. Stores is also tops on the squad in field goal percentage (62.2%). In her collegiate debut against San Diego, the 6-foot-2 forward tied for the team lead with a season-high 17 points (7-8 FG). Stores reached double figures again in wins over NAU (14), Bowling Green (13), Colgate (11), and St. Thomas (10). She also had a season-best nine rebounds at Idaho State. 

FRENCH CONNECTION
Sophomore Naomy Zonzon-Huyghe (La Roche-sur-Yon, France) is in her first season with the Anteaters, making it the fourth year in a row UCI women's basketball has had a native of France on their roster. Zonzon-Huyghe has reached double figures in scoring in two of her last three outings, finishing with a season-best 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 3FG) against Colgate and 10 (5-8 FG) at CSUN. The 5-foot-9 guard has been efficient all season long, shooting 56.5% (26-46) overall and 38.9% (7-18) from distance. Zonzon-Huyghe came to UCI after an impressive year at Arizona Western College where she was an NJCAA second-team All-American.

THE GOAT
Tamara Inoue has cemented her legacy as the most accomplished head coach in program history. On Feb. 27, 2025, Inoue earned her 159th career victory to surpass Dean Andrea (1979-1991) as UCI's all-time winningest head coach. Inoue owns a 169-118 career record in her nine-plus seasons at the helm. She has led UC Irvine to a pair of Big West Championships, four of the Anteaters' five national postseason appearances, their first victory in a national postseason tournament (WNIT), five of their seven 20-win campaigns, and single-season school records in both overall (25) and conference (16) wins.

LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
UC Irvine has become a powerhouse in The Big West under 10th-year head coach Tamara Inoue. The Anteaters placed among the top-two in the conference in each of the last six years, including the first regular-season title in program history in 2022-23. Since 2020-21, UCI has not lost more than five conference games in a season, combining for a league-leading 74-19 (.796) record during that stretch. The 'Eaters also advanced to the championship game of the Big West tournament three times in the last five years, winning it all in 2023-24.

UP NEXT
UC Irvine closes out non-conference play and the 2025 calendar year on the road next week. The Anteaters will head to New Mexico State on Tuesday, Dec. 16, before making their way to UTEP on Thursday, Dec. 18.