Second-seeded UCI advances to semifinals of Big West Tourney with comeback win

Haleigh Talbert of UCI drives to the basket in Wednesday’s game. (Photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications/Amanda Delgado) 

UC Irvine’s women’s basketball team has advanced to the semifinals of the Air Force Reserve Big West Championships on Friday to face No. 6 Cal Poly at 3 p.m. in Las Vegas.

The second-seeded Anteaters advanced with a 92-90 victory over No. 7 seed UC Santa Barbara in the quarterfinals of the tournament Wednesday evening at Michelob Ultra Arena.
 
The Anteaters (14-8) battled back from a 12-point deficit in the first half and overcame a Big West Tournament-record 18 3-pointers from the Gauchos. The Anteaters also shot well from outside, making 10 of 17 three-pointers (58.8 percent)
 
“I’m really proud of my team and the fight they showed today,” said UCI Coach Tamara Inoue. “There were a lot of times where we could have hung our heads because threes are like dunks in the women’s game. To the credit of my team, they kept getting after it and going strong.”

UCI was, led by sophomore  Chloe Webb, who had 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
 
Sophomore Jayde Cadee tied her season high with 15 points making 5-of-9 from long distance. Senior Haleigh Talbert and sophomore Sophia Locandro added 14 points each, while freshman Victoria Baker scored 12 points. Senior Dani Guglielmo added a season-best 10 points.
 
The Anteaters shot a season-high 55.9 percent (33-of-59) from the field, and scored 24 points off 18 forced turnovers.

It’s the eighth time UCI has advanced to the semifinals and the second time in three years.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications