Anteaters put Cal Poly away

Kristen Green recorded a career-high 19 points to lead five Anteaters

in double-digit scoring as UC Irvine topped Cal Poly, 86-74, Thursday

night.

The 86 points equals UCI’s high of the season, which they have

done two other times this year. The Anteaters improve to 16-9 overall

and 9-5 in Big West play, while Cal Poly falls to 9-14 on the year

and 5-8 in conference play.

The Anteaters opened up a 17-point first-half lead, but Cal Poly

ended the half on a 17-6 run to go into the locker room at 45-38. The

Mustangs scored the first basket out of the intermission, but UCI

went on a 7-1 spurt to bring the Anteater lead to 11 (52-41) with

16-24 remaining. The Anteaters would build the margin back to 17 on

five occasions as Cal Poly could pull no closer than 10 the rest of

the way.

Green was 8 for 15 from the field, including 3 for 5 from

three-point territory and was one shy of a double-double with nine

rebounds. Wendy Gabbe had 18 points, followed by Christina Callaway

with 15 points. Callaway and Gabbe each grabbed six rebounds in the

win. Lisa Faulkner recorded her second career double-double with 12

points and 11 assists. Courtney Ferguson came off the bench to add 16

points, going 4 for 8 from three-point range.

UCI ended the evening 12-24 from three-point range. The 12 threes

ties a UCI school record and ties the most in the Big West the

season.

Kari Duperron led the Mustangs with 15 points. Courtney Uphoff and

Heidi Wittstrom each pitched in 11 points and six rebounds. Heather

Journey tallied 10 points and six rebounds, while Kate Valdes had a

team-high seven rebounds.

UCI will entertain No. 19 UC Santa Barbara Saturday in the home

finale at 7 p.m. in the Bren Events Center.

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Big West Conference

UCI 86, Cal Poly 74

Cal Poly -- Journey 10, Valdes 3, Turner 7, Duperron 15, Uphoff 11,

Dooley 0, Wittstrom 11, Grieve 0, Uiagalelei 6, Henke 11. 3-pt. goals

-- Uiagalelei 2. Duperron 1, Uphoff 1. Fouled out -- Turner.

Technicals -- none. UCI -- Yadon 4, Callaway 15, Faulkner 12, Gabbe

18, Green 19, Biggins 2, Ferguson 16, Usher 0. 3-pt. goals --

Ferguson 4, Faulkner 3, Green 3, Callaway 1, Gabbe 1. Fouled out -- Callaway. Technicals -- Faulkner 1. Halftime- UCI, 45-38

*--*