IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — In a gritty Big West Conference clash that defied preseason expectations, the UC Irvine women’s basketball team held off a relentless challenge from UC Riverside for a 74-68 victory on Thursday night at Bren Events Center.

The Anteaters, who entered the game with a 17-2 record and had demolished the Highlanders by 37 points just seven weeks prior, found themselves in a dogfight from the opening tip. Despite the final margin, UC Irvine never led by more than nine points and was pushed to the limit by a UC Riverside squad that has struggled to a 6-12 mark.

The game’s defining sequence came in the final minute, with UC Irvine clinging to a 71-68 lead. After a missed three-pointer by UC Riverside’s Kaylani Polk with 27 seconds left, UC Irvine’s Summah Hanson secured the critical defensive rebound. The Anteaters then forced a foul, and Shirel Nahum hit one of two free throws to extend the lead to four with 19 seconds remaining. UC Riverside’s last gasp ended when Seneca Hackley was fouled on a three-point attempt but could only make two free throws, leaving the deficit at two possessions and effectively sealing the outcome.

The contest was a showcase for two of the conference’s premier guards. UC Riverside’s Hannah Wickstrom, a junior from Melbourne, Australia, delivered a heroic performance, scoring a game-high 30 points while adding four assists in 38 minutes. Her scoring kept the Highlanders within striking distance throughout the night, particularly during a third quarter where she scored 10 points to help her team hang tough.

For UC Irvine, the backcourt duo of Jada Wynn and Hunter Hernandez provided the necessary firepower. Wynn, a sophomore from Yorba Linda, California, filled the stat sheet with 18 points, six assists and a key block. Hernandez, a senior from San Jose, California, was equally vital, contributing 20 points and relentless defensive pressure.

The Highlanders started strong, with Taylor Swanson hitting an early three-pointer to set the tone. The first half was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 10 lead changes and five ties. UC Riverside took a 34-33 lead into halftime after Hackley sank two free throws with 26 seconds left in the second quarter.

UC Irvine emerged from the break with renewed focus, opening the third quarter on a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead. The Anteaters’ interior defense, led by Hanson’s two blocks, began to disrupt the Highlanders’ rhythm. Yet, every time UC Irvine threatened to pull away, Wickstrom answered with a clutch basket. Her driving layup with 11 seconds left in the third quarter cut the Anteaters’ lead to 54-52 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter saw UC Irvine finally establish a semblance of control. A three-pointer from Hernandez at the 7:29 mark gave the Anteaters a 62-55 advantage, their largest of the game to that point. But UC Riverside, demonstrating resilience absent from the December meeting, clawed back. A three-pointer from Polk and a floating jumper from Wickstrom trimmed the lead to 69-67 with just over two minutes to play.

UC Irvine’s experience showed in the closing moments. With the lead at three, they executed a crucial defensive stop, forced the Highlanders into a tough shot on their final meaningful possession, and secured the necessary rebounds and free throws to close out the win.

Beyond the star guards, key contributions came from UC Irvine’s Nohealani Stores, who provided eight points and strong post play in just 15 minutes, and UC Riverside’s Kaylani Polk, who had 12 points and six assists.

The game was a conference opener for both teams and drew an attendance of 467 to the Bren Events Center. With the win, UC Irvine improves to 18-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big West, while UC Riverside falls to 6-13 and 0-1.

UC Irvine will look to continue its strong start at home against UC San Diego on Saturday. UC Riverside, despite the loss, will take confidence from its competitive performance as it prepares to host UC Davis on Saturday.