Dec. 1, 2010
Box Score
IRVINE, Calif. - Junior guards Lauren Bell and Jazmine Jackson both scored in double-figures, but their collective efforts weren't enough to slow down a UC Irvine squad that shot .556 from the field in its 81-75 win Wednesday night at the Bren Events Center.
Winners of four straight, the Anteaters (4-3) were led by Mikah Maly-Karros' 24 points. The Waves fell to .500 for the second time this season and are 4-4.
Jackson (Oakland, Calif./ Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) scored 22 points to go along with nine rebounds, while Bell (San Bruno, Calif./ Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) contributed 18 points with a career-high seven steals.
Redshirt junior guard Katie Menton (Coarsegold, Calif./Yosemite HS) netted 16 points, including a couple 3-pointers that kept Pepperdine within striking distance in the closing minutes. UCI led by as many as 10 with a 1:30 remaining, but Menton's long-range jumpers made it a two-possession game at 73-67 and a minute to play.
But that's as close as Pepperdine would get even though its defense held UCI to just two field-goals over the final four minutes.
The Waves also jolted the Anteaters early in the second half after converting their first three field-goal attempts into seven points, cutting the deficit to 34-30, but UCI pulled back ahead in a hurry thanks to solid interior shooting and a consistent presence at the free-throw line.
Irvine made 33 trips to the charity stripe from where they dumped in 28 points (.848), and also poured 36 points in from the paint. At one point, the Anteaters hit 22 consecutive free throws after missing their first three to begin the game.
By comparison, Pepperdine made nine of 11 freebies (.818) in addition to shooting .377 from the floor despite firing off 77 field-goal attempts and creating 28 turnovers. The Waves were credited with 13 steals.
Maly-Karros scored 10 of her points in the first half to carry UC Irvine into the break with a 32-23 lead. The Anteaters led throughout the opening period despite enduring a five-minute drought in which the Waves cut the lead to four points at 24-20, but the home team responded with an 8-0 run down the stretch before Jackson hit a trey with no time remaining.
Pepperdine's next and final stop on its three-game road trip is at Oregon State on Dec. 3 for a 7 p.m. game. The Waves return home to Firestone Fieldhouse next Tuesday at 7 p.m. vs. San Diego State.
