IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — The UC Irvine women’s basketball team used a stifling defensive effort to defeat UC Santa Barbara 63-41 in a Big West Conference game Saturday at Bren Events Center.

The Anteaters (19-4, 9-1 Big West) held the Gauchos to 28.3% shooting from the field and built a commanding 32-17 lead by halftime. UC Santa Barbara (16-6, 7-3) never recovered, scoring a season-low 41 points.

Hunter Hernandez led UC Irvine with 15 points. Shirel Nahum added 12 points and Summah Hanson scored 12. Júlia Puente-Valverde paced the Gauchos with nine points.

UC Irvine forced 12 turnovers and outrebounded UC Santa Barbara 44-31 in front of 722 fans. The Anteaters maintained a share of first place in the conference standings with the victory.