BRIEFS:Freshman Halman’s status uncertain

Naomi Halman, a 6-foot-4 freshman center for the UC Irvine women’s basketball team, did not return Monday from a visit to her home in the Netherlands and may have left the program, Anteaters’ Coach Molly Tuter said Thursday.

Halman, who played in 10 games, starting five, was averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds before Tuter gave her permission to leave before the team’s Dec. 21 home game against Army.

“She said she had to attend to some personal issues and that she would be back Dec. 26,” Tuter said after the Anteaters fell, 78-72, to visiting Fairfield Thursday.

“She hasn’t contacted anyone associated with the team,” said Tuter, who was surprised by Halman’s absence.

“Unless her teammates agree that she can return, she won’t be allowed to rejoin the team,” said Tuter.

Halman had a career-high 22 points in a Dec. 17 loss at Nevada. She also led the team with nine blocks this season.

Halman’s absence amplifies a shortage of frontcourt players for the team (2-10). Kelly Cochran, a 6-foot sophomore forward, is out indefinitely with a fractured bone in her leg and 6-foot junior forward Haley Tull has missed all season with a sore Achilles.

— Barry Faulkner