College Roundup: UCI women surge past Long Beach State

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UC Irvine 86, Long Beach State 61

IRVINE — Senior Kassandra McCalister had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the host Anteaters in the Big West Conference game Thursday.

Sophomore Jacquelyn Marshall had 18 points and nine rebounds, while three other Anteaters scored in double figures.

The win for UCI (10-12, 6-3 in conference), sets up a first-place showdown with visiting Cal State Northridge (7-2 in conference) on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Anete Klintsone had 11 points, four rebounds and four assists for UCI, which avenged a 63-51 loss at Long Beach State on Dec. 31.

Kiara Belen had 10 points and six rebounds, while Kelly Meggs had 12 points off the bench for the winners.

The 49ers fell to 9-13, 4-5.

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SOFTBALL

Doubleheader

COSTA MESA — Orange Coast College split a doubleheader with visiting Oxnard on Thursday.

The Pirates lost the opener, 10-8, and won the nightcap, 9-3.

The win snapped the Pirates three-game losing streak to start the season.

Daae Cantu went two for three and ripped a two-run single in the win, while Heather Gorey, Nicolette Lujan and Amy Hartwell each produced run-scoring at-bats.

Cantu pitched all five innings in the game called due to darkness. She allowed three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out eight.

OCC’s Kayla Blanco went four for four with two doubles, two runs and three runs batted in during the loss. Cantu added two hits, a run and three RBIs, while Hartwell went two for four with three runs scored.

The Pirates play at Chaffey Friday in a doubleheader that starts at noon.