COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Fresno State Applies the Pressure Against UC Irvine for 61-60 Victory

The UC Irvine women’s basketball team was 30 seconds away from its first Big West Conference victory since February, 1989, but Fresno State pulled out a 61-60 victory on Tammie Beckley’s field goal in the final seconds Wednesday.

Irvine (2-11, 0-4 in conference) called a timeout with five seconds left, but the Anteaters’ Kathy Lizarraga was only able to get off a weak shot against the pressure.

“It’s a shame,” Irvine Coach Dean Andrea said. “It’s hard because we’re getting better.”

Yvonne Catala, who scored 28 points on 12 of 16 shooting, put Irvine in position to win with a basket that gave the Anteaters a 60-59 lead with 30 seconds left. But Beckley used a screen to drive for an open four-footer.

Fresno State is 7-6, 1-3.

In an NAIA District III women’s basketball game:

Christ College Irvine 66, Biola 54--Stacy Kirch scored 15 points, including three three-pointers, for host Christ College Irvine (8-2). Gitte Mejer had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Genevieve Graff had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Irvine. Nancy Geisler added 12 points for the Eagles.