UCI drops opener, 80-60

IRVINE — The second half of the UC Irvine women’s basketball season opener was eerily similar to the way the Anteaters have started the past two seasons — slowly spiraling out of control.

But because it was only one half of play that lead to an 80-60 nonconference loss to Eastern Washington Monday at the Bren Events Center, the Anteaters believe the problems can easily be solved and their season righted before getting to seven- and nine-game losing streaks that kicked off the past two seasons, respectively.

UC Irvine Coach Molly Tuter said she is a different coach than she was the past two seasons and the 2006 Anteaters are also different from their two predecessors.

“We have more talent,” said Tuter, who took over from Mark Adams after UC Irvine lost its first seven games of the 2004-05 season. “They’re all correctable issues. We just need to get smarter.”

A lack of intelligent play was a factor in both the Anteaters deficiencies Monday.

After trailing, 33-30, following a half in which they lead most of the way, the Anteaters’ defense crumbled and the rebound defecit grew.

Fouls contributed to a tentative defense that went from allowing 29% shooting in the first half to 52% shooting in the second half and the 80 total points, the most UC Irvine has surrendered in 16 games since a 99-72 loss to Cal Poly Jan. 7.

Perimeter defense hurt the Anteaters the most as the Eagles netted eight three-pointers.

“It’s a mind-set,” said UCI 6-foot sophomore forward Kelly Cochran who finished with a team-high 16 points on seven-of-13 shooting. “When we’re in foul trouble we have to play smarter defense.”

UC Irvine was also bullied around the backboard, getting outrebounded, 24-15, in the second half.

“We didn’t box out well enough,” Cochran said. “Both are fixable problems. We just need try and stay positive and remember we know what we need to do.”

Tuter said that energy level was a key factor in why the Anteaters were outscored, 15-6, in the first six minutes of the second half.

“I thought we’d be more focused,” Tuter said. “We didn’t come out with a spark. We got in foul trouble and we got tentative on defense.”

The spark was there for the Anteaters in the opening half, as they jumped ahead, 7-2.

“We were focused a little more and came out really pumped up in the first half,” said junior forward Stephanie Duda who had 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. “It’s just a mental thing. We need to start getting together as a team. We have a pretty well-rounded team this year.”

UC Irvine fell behind, 9-7, but rally behind a transition offense that later would become nonexistent. Junior forward Christina Zdenek, a Utah State transfer, started the comeback by sinking a free throw after she was fouled on a fast break. Zdenek finished with 10 points.

Then Cochran took a rebound, whipped it out to Annie Mai who found Naomi Halman for a layup.

UC Irvine beat the Eastern Washington full-court pressure again and Cochran hit a jump shot from the elbow for a 12-9 lead.

The Anteaters extended the lead to as much as five before the Eagles took a 33-30 halftime advantage off a three-pointer.

“We just need to focus,” Duda said. “We’re constantly trying to keep it positive out there and keep our heads up.”

Returning starting sophomore point guard Kirian Ishizaki missed the game with a broken nose. The Anteaters go on the road to take on New Mexico State Friday at 6 p.m.

Nonconference

Eastern Washington 80,

UC Irvine 60

Eastern Washington -- Baker 16, Knight 14, Chadd 10, Holgate 10, Allen 9, Scott 9, Benson 3, Gonnella 3, Osborn 4, Huntington 2.

3-pt. goals -- Knight 4, Chadd 2, Baker 1, Gonnella 1, Osborn 1.

Fouled out -- Benson.

UC Irvine -- Cochran 16, Duda 13, Zdenek 10, Halman 8, Mai 7, Ned 4, Maessen 2.

3-pt. goals -- Mai 1.

Fouled out -- None.

Halftime -- 33-30, Eastern Washington.