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| No. 2 seed UC Irvine 53, No. 5 seed UC Davis 39 |
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Gallery: (3-17-2024) Big West Women's Basketball Championship
HENDERSON, Nev. – After two runner-up finishes in the past three years, No. 2 seed UC Irvine emerged victorious against the fifth-seeded UC Davis Aggies with a final score of 53-39 to cut down the nets at the 2024 Hercules Tires Big West Women’s Basketball Championship from The Dollar Loan Center.
Receiving the double-bye into the semifinals, the Anteaters cruised to the finale after besting No. 7 seed Long Beach State before dispatching the Aggies, who close the year at 20-14.
UCI moves to 23-8 and waits for their next opponent as The Big West’s automatic qualifier into the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. The selection show is set for tomorrow, Sunday, March 17 at 5 p.m. on ESPN.
From the outset, UC Irvine displayed their offensive firepower, jumping to an early lead and maintaining control throughout the game. Championship Most Valuable Player
Déja Lee led the charge for the Anteaters, delivering a standout performance with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting with six rebounds. Lee's scoring prowess and leadership on the court were instrumental in guiding UCI to victory.
Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba also made significant contributions for UCI, recording 13 points and a game-best nine rebounds with an 11-of-12 effort from the line. Johnson Sidi Baba's presence in the paint and relentless effort on both ends of the floor earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Despite a valiant effort from UC Davis, led by
Evanne Turner's 18 points and seven rebounds, the Aggies struggled to overcome UC Irvine's defensive pressure and offensive efficiency. The Anteaters locked down throughout the game, holding UCD to 26.4 percent shooting on the night and a four-point quarter in the third.
UCI led 16-9 at the quarter break, but UC Davis’ ratcheted up their own intensity in the second, battling back to make it a 1-point game after
Victoria Baker’s second-chance bucket made the score 18-17 with 4:55 remaining in the half. The ‘Eaters held the 21-19 lead at the break, but came out on fire in the third, opening up the period on a 17-2 run that featured six points from Lee and eight from senior
Diaba Konate. The Anteaters defense held UC Davis without a made basket until the 2:44 mark in the third, when
Tova Sabel swished the triple. Sabel earned an All-Tournament nod for the weeklong contributions. Lee followed with a pair of scoring plays to close the quarter and the Anteaters never looked back.
This marks UC Irvine’s seventh championship appearance and second-ever Big West Championship title, also earning a ring in 1995.
2024 Big West Championship All-Tournament Team
Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba, UC Irvine
Déja Lee, UC Irvine (MVP)
Tova Sabel, UC Davis
Savannah Tucker, Long Beach State
Evanne Turner, UC Davis
Sydney Woodley, Long Beach State