UC IRVINE ROARS BACK TO CLIP WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, 81-75, ON THE ROAD

12/11/2011

Kylie Kuhns had her ninth double-double of the season but the Hornets lost at UC Irvine.

IRVINE, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team led by as much as 11 points early in the second half but UC Irvine stormed back to defeat the Hornets, 81-75, on Sunday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.

The Hornets (4-6) saw Kylie Kuhns record her NCAA-best ninth double-double through just 10 games this season with 18 points and a season-high 17 rebounds but the Anteaters (4-5) used a late rally to win their second straight game.

Sacramento State had a one-point lead at halftime but pushed its lead to 11 with 15:30 left in the game. The Hornets hit seven of their first eight shots after the break as they went on a 16-6 run in that stretch to take a 59-48 lead.

But over the next 6:32, the Anteaters answered with a 13-2 run and a 3-pointer with 8:58 remaining tied the score at 61-61. The teams traded baskets down the stretch but UC Irvine connected on six free throws in the final 1:30 before eventually winning by six.

UC Irvine took a whopping 31 free throws, making 21, compared to just 6-of-9 for the Hornets. The Anteaters had a 15 point advantage at the charity stripe.

UC Irvine point guard Kassandra McCalister went 10-of-15 from the free throw line en route to a game-high 26 points. Jazmyne White had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Kuhns led the Hornets with 17 rebounds while she and freshman Fantasia Hilliard shared the team-high with 18 points. Mallorie Franco and Alle Moreno each had eight points as well.

Sacramento State shot 41 percent overall on 32-of-78 shooting, including 5-of-22 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 50 rebounds, committed 26 turnovers and had 18 assists. They went 6-of-9 at the free throw line.

UC Irvine shot 43.1 percent from the field on 28-of-65 shooting, with 4-of-11 coming from beyond the arc. The 'Eaters grabbed 40 rebounds, were pressured into 17 turnovers and had 12 assists. They went 21-of-31 at the free throw line.

The Hornets wrap up their four-game road trip on Dec. 17 at San Francisco.