Women’s College Basketball : UC Irvine Wins Tournament on Last-Second Shot, 65-64

UC Irvine won the New Mexico State women’s tournament, 65-64, Saturday on a last second shot by guard Erin Higashi.

Higashi scored 10 points and was named the MVP of the tournament.

Natalie Crawford was the leading scorer with 17 points. She also has seven rebounds.

The Anteaters (2-0) trailed by seven at the half, 32-25, and by as many as 10 in the second half before coming back.

The comeback was led by guard Valerie Dehn, who scored 15 points and added 6 rebounds.

Irvine had to play the game without All-America center Cheri Graham, who broke her wrist the night before in the first-round win over Southern Methodist University. Crawford, a sophomore, had to start at the center postion in the game against host Aggies.

“I’m really proud of the way our team played,” UC Irvine coach Dean Andrea said. “They just went in there and did the job they had to do knowing that we did not have Cheri to depend on.”

New Mexico State is 1-1.

UC IRVINE (65)--Higashi 10, Dehn 15, Walton 14, Burks 3, Crawford 17, Brown 4, Parks 2.

NEW MEXICO STATE (64)--Spaschak 8, Feaster 14, Thompson 6, Veatch 12, Perkins 6, Phillips 7, Haynes 11.

Hal time--New Mexico State, 32-25

In Chapman Tournament action:

Chapman College 93, Air Force Academy 71--The Panthers finished third in their own tournament by defeating Air Force Academy, 93-71.

The Panthers were led forward Valari Hartfield’s 29 points. Senior All-America center Leone Patterson had 16 points and was named to the all-tournament team.

U.S. International University 80, University of San Diego 78--The Gulls were led to the championship by Alice Mendez’s 19 points. Debbie Theroux had 20 points for the Toreros.

In non-conference action: UC San Diego 109, Christ College Irvine 58--The Torres beat the Crusaders in Irvine.