UC Irvine Women Hold Off USIU in Final Seconds for 80-79 Victory

The UC Irvine women’s basketball team held off United States International University in the final seconds for an 80-79 nonconference victory Sunday at Crawford Hall.

Erin Higashi made two free throws with 21 seconds left to give the Anteaters (8-5) an 80-77 lead. But USIU’s Toya DeCree was fouled with 14 seconds left and she made two free throws to make it 80-79.

The Gulls (10-5) then fouled Valerie Dehn, who missed her shot. USIU got the rebound, but was tied up for a jump ball with three seconds remaining. The Anteaters won the tip and ran out the clock.

Dehn led all scorers with 22 points, including 14 in second half to help Irvine erase an 11-point deficit. DeCree led USIU with 21.