Women’s Basketball : Dehn Leads UC Irvine Past Utah State

Senior guard Valerie Dehn scored 23 points, had 6 assists and 6 rebounds Friday night as UC Irvine posted a 77-52 win over Utah State in the first round of the UC Irvine women’s basketball tournament at Crawford Hall.

Irvine jumped out to a 13-0 lead and was never challenged. Sophomore center Natalie Crawford added 14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocked shots for the Anteaters. Guard Erin Higashi added 17 points for Irvine (4-3).

Lisa Grandmason, a senior forward from Tustin, had 12 points for Utah State (3-6). The Aggies were led by Maryln Harmer’s 15 points.

In the tournament’s other first-round game, Arizona breezed past Pepperdine, 80-65. Utah State will meet Pepperdine in the consolation game at 6 tonight and Irvine will play Arizona in the championship game at 8.

In Saddleback Community College Tournament action:

Santa Monica 66 Cypress 60--The Chargers lost in the first round to the Cosairs and will play at 2 p.m. today against Palomar in the consolation round. Cypress freshman center Janet Jensen was the leading scorer with 22 points.

Los Angeles Trade Tech 60, Palomar 38--The Beavers advanced to the second round against Santa Monica with a win over the Comets.

In nonconference action:

Golden West 103, College of the Canyons 82--Forward Stacey Barnes scored 25 points to lead the Rustlers past the Roadrunners at Cuesta.

Golden West (8-2) also got 20 points from Karen Chase, a freshman guard from Ocean View. Kim Abeyta, a freshman from Mater Dei, scored 16 points for the Rustlers while Shanna Beer, Sandy Storer and Julie Maon each scored 10 points.

It was the first time Golden West scored more than 100 points this season but was far short of the school record of 147.