ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Megan Stafford

Women’s basketball

Stafford made an immediate impact after returning from a suspension. She had 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a 77-56 victory over Ohio Friday in the Oregon State tournament.

It was the Anteaters’ first victory this season. Stafford scored Irvine’s first seven points.

She averaged 12 points and five assists last season, when she was a second-team All-Big West Conference selection.

THIS WEEK

Men’s basketball: The Anteaters fired up 33 three-point attempts Saturday in an 80-70 loss to Oregon State. Ben Jones and Gabe Cagwin each made five. Missing, though, was an inside game. Matt Willard had six points and Stan Divranos two. Point guard Jerry Green led the team with seven rebounds. A better inside presence, and better passes inside from perimeter players, is what the Anteaters will need Saturday when they host Northern Arizona at 7 p.m.

Swimming and diving: UCI will host the Speedo Cup today through Saturday at the Belmont Plaza pool in Long Beach. More than 300 athletes are expected to compete, including Arika Earley, Irvine’s top diver and defending Big West Conference champion. The preliminaries begin at 9 a.m and the finals are at 6 p.m. each day.