EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — Hunter Hernandez poured in 36 points and UC Irvine used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from UTEP for a 93-72 victory in a nonconference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Don Haskins Center.

The Anteaters, improving to 11-2, turned a competitive contest into a rout by outscoring the Miners 32-22 in the pivotal third period. That explosion extended a five-point halftime lead to 15 points entering the final quarter, and UTEP never threatened again.

Hernandez, a 5-foot-9 guard from San Jose, California, was the catalyst throughout. She scored from all levels, hitting jumpers, driving for layups and drawing fouls. She finished an efficient 12-for-18 from the field, including 3 of 5 from three-point range, and made 9 of 10 free throws in her 34 minutes. The performance continued a stellar stretch for Hernandez, who has now scored 27, 31, 13 and 36 points in her last four games.

The most important sequence of the game came early in the third quarter, just as UTEP was attempting to build momentum. After the Miners’ Sirviva Legions converted a layup to cut the deficit to 30-28, UC Irvine responded with a decisive 14-5 run. Hernandez ignited the spurt with a three-pointer, then added a layup. Jada Wynn and Shirel Nahum also contributed baskets during the stretch, which was fueled by stifling Anteater defense that forced several UTEP misses and turnovers. By the time the run concluded, UC Irvine led 44-33 and had firm control of the game’s tempo.

UTEP (7-3) struggled to find consistent offense against UC Irvine’s defensive pressure. While Portia Adams led the Miners with 18 points and Ndack Mbengue added 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, the team shot just 39.7% from the floor and committed 14 turnovers. The Anteaters were more efficient in nearly every facet, shooting 56.6% overall and 50% from beyond the arc.

Nahum provided crucial support for Hernandez with 11 points and four assists for UC Irvine. Wynn orchestrated the offense with a game-high seven assists to go with 11 points. Lauryn Madsen and Summah Hanson each added nine points, with Hanson contributing three steals and a block.

The game began at a measured pace, with UC Irvine holding a 21-15 lead after one quarter. The Anteaters maintained their advantage in the second, taking a 43-38 lead into halftime despite Hernandez already having 19 points. The third-quarter explosion, however, rendered the final period a formality as UC Irvine’s lead ballooned to as many as 25 points.

The Anteaters’ offensive efficiency was notable, scoring 93 points on just 78 possessions for an offensive rating of 119.6. UTEP managed only 72 points on 75 possessions, an offensive rating of 96.2. UC Irvine also won despite being out-rebounded on the offensive glass 10-6, a testament to their hot shooting and ability to limit UTEP’s second-chance opportunities.

A crowd of 905 watched as UC Irvine continued its strong start to the season, winning its third straight game and sixth in its last seven outings. UTEP saw its two-game winning streak snapped and will look to regroup before its next contest.

The game was projected as a likely UC Irvine victory by advanced metrics, with Interstat’s ELO system giving the Anteaters an 81% probability to win. They fulfilled that expectation with a comprehensive performance on both ends of the floor, led by a star turn from Hernandez.

UC Irvine now breaks for the holidays before opening Big West Conference play at home against Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 1. UTEP will remain at home to face Southwest in its final nonconference tune-up on Dec. 29 before beginning Conference USA play in early January.