Chelsea Mackey

Women’s basketball

Mackey, a 6-foot-3 center, put together two strong games last week.

She had 26 points and 20 rebounds in a 64-49 victory over Duquesne on Dec. 28. She had 19 points and eight rebounds in a 63-62 victory over Loyola Marymount on Saturday.

Mackey is averaging 16 points and eight rebounds.

THIS WEEK

Men’s basketball: The Anteaters begin conference play at home Thursday against 0-10 North Texas, which has been thumped by such teams as Maryland, Iowa State and Tulsa. “It’s very difficult to get a read on them because they have lost on the road to good schools by lopsided scores,” Coach Pat Douglass said. Of course, all the Anteaters need to know is that they lost to a 1-9 North Texas team in last season’s opener. “Most teams in the conference seem to have some deficiency, like us,” Douglass said. “Shooting or size or something.” Irvine hosts New Mexico State Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

Women’s basketball: The Anteaters open confernce play on the road, playing at Nevada at 8 p.m. Friday and at New Mexico State at 1 p.m. Sunday. “I feel we’re playing really well right now,” Coach Mark Adams said. “Even though we’re 4-7, I feel we’re headed in the right direction.”

Men’s volleyball: Irvine opens its season Thursday and Friday at BYU. The Cougars have a 14-0 career record against the Anteaters. “We’re being thrown into the pool really quick,” Anteater outside hitter Mike Rupp said. “It should be a ton of fun.”