Anteater women routed in Texas

DALLAS -- UC Irvine’s women’s basketball team closed out a disappointing trip to Texas with a 77-51 loss to Southern Methodist on Thursday night.

The Anteaters were outscored, 167-110, in the two-game road swing after losing to North Texas, 90-59, on Tuesday night.

Southern Methodist (4-7) shot 53.1% from the field in the first half, holding UCI to six baskets in the opening half. The Anteaters scored three points in the final 9:30 of the half, all on free throws, and trailed, 42-17, at the break.

The Mustangs led by as many as 41 points in the second half before clearing the bench.

Stephanie Duda scored a season-high 17 points for UCI (1-9) and grabbed nine rebounds to tie her career-best. Kirian Ishizaki was the only other player in double figures for the Anteaters, with 10 points.

The game was a homecoming for UCI’s Kalee Davidson and Haley Tull. Davidson, who went to high school in nearby Fort Worth, started and had seven points and four rebounds. Tull, who grew up in nearby Cleburne had two points and a steal in 15 minutes.

The Anteaters will not play again until Jan. 2, when they travel to the University of San Diego for a nonconference game.

Nonconference

SMU 77,

UC Irvine 51

Score by Halves