UC Irvine Beats New Mexico State

UC Irvine played solid defense in the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime, then went on to beat New Mexico State, 74-70, in a Big West Conference women’s basketball game Sunday in Irvine.

New Mexico State led, 61-54, with 5 minutes 10 seconds left in the second half but managed only a basket the rest of the way in regulation.

Sophomore reserve guard Shannon Anders scored 17 points in 24 minutes and Megan Stafford had 14 points and seven assists for UCI (7-6, 2-0).

Wendy Ray had 23 points for New Mexico State (5-10, 0-3).

In another conference women’s game:

Cal State Fullerton 69, North Texas 60--Host Fullerton (5-8, 2-0) got 61 of its 69 points from starters.

Kris Sigg had 18, Erin Whiteside added 13, Andrea Thieme had 12 and Nashira Shaw scored 11, Shaw also had a team-high 10 rebounds.

Thieme and Sigg, who had five assists apiece, each played 40 minutes and Shaw 36. The Titans used only one substitute.