IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — The UC Irvine women’s basketball team delivered a defensive masterclass, overwhelming Cal Poly from the opening tip and cruising to an 84-39 victory in a Big West Conference game Thursday night at Bren Events Center.

The Anteaters, who entered the game with a 98.6 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, validated that projection with a performance defined by relentless pressure. They forced 21 Cal Poly turnovers, converting them into 24 points, while holding the Mustangs to a frigid 30.6 percent shooting from the field.

The tone was set early and decisively. After a competitive first few minutes that saw Cal Poly trailing just 10-8, UC Irvine unleashed a game-defining run. Sparked by their defense, the Anteaters closed the first quarter on a 9-2 spurt, capped by a Hunter Hernandez-assisted 3-pointer from Jada Wynn with 33 seconds left, to take a 19-10 lead.

The second quarter was where the contest was irrevocably broken open. UC Irvine’s defense completely smothered the Mustangs, holding them to just nine points in the period. Meanwhile, the Anteater offense found its rhythm from beyond the arc. A 13-2 run over a four-minute stretch, featuring 3-pointers from Wynn and Daniela Falcon Hernandez, extended the lead to 37-19. The half ended with UC Irvine holding a commanding 44-24 advantage, having outscored Cal Poly 25-9 in the quarter.

Any notion of a Mustang comeback was extinguished in the third quarter as UC Irvine continued to pour it on. The Anteaters opened the period with a 12-4 run, with Summah Hanson and Shirel Nahum connecting from deep, pushing the lead to 56-28. The quarter ended with UC Irvine ahead 72-33, having outscored Cal Poly 28-9, matching their second-quarter dominance. The Anteaters shot 50 percent from the field in the third, a stark contrast to Cal Poly’s continued struggles.

The final quarter was a formality, with both teams emptying their benches. The Anteaters’ defensive intensity never fully relented, limiting Cal Poly to six points in the period, the lowest of any quarter, to seal the 45-point victory.

Jada Wynn led all scorers with 21 points for UC Irvine, showcasing efficient shooting and adding four assists. Shirel Nahum provided a major spark with 16 points and five assists, while Hunter Hernandez orchestrated the offense with eight points and a game-high six assists. The Anteaters shared the ball effectively, tallying 13 assists on 31 made field goals, and dominated the glass with a 16-3 advantage in offensive rebounds, leading to 16 second-chance points.

Cal Poly was led by Charish Thompson, who scored 15 points, but she was the only Mustang to reach double figures. The team’s offensive woes were encapsulated by an offensive rating of just 54.4 points per 100 possessions. Katie Peiffer added seven points off the bench.

The victory improves UC Irvine’s record to 20-4 overall and solidifies its position atop the Big West standings. Cal Poly falls to 3-21 on the season, having lost eight consecutive games.

UC Irvine will look to continue its winning ways on the road against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. Cal Poly faces a quick turnaround, traveling to face rival UC Santa Barbara, also on Saturday.