Nov. 17, 2001

Box Score

(San Francisco) - UC Irvine used a 23 to three second half run to recover from a nine point deficit to take an 11 point lead, toppling USF 59-48 in non-conference women's basketball action Saturday at War Memorial Gym in the season opener for both teams. The Lady Dons (0-1) could not capitalize on 31 turnovers committed by the Anteaters (1-0) despite holding UC Irvine scoreless in the first 5:10 of the second half.

San Francisco led by as many as nine in the second half, 41-32 with 11:03 remaining in the contest, but then went ice cold from the perimeter as the Anteaters made their run. UC Irvine seized their first lead at the 6:13 mark on a free throw by senior guard Lisa Woznick and would never surrender it for the remainder of the game.

No USF player reached double-figures in scoring. Senior forward Cindy Oparah poured in a game-high 15 points to go along with 11 rebounds, while junior forward Wendy Gabbe chipped in 13 points. Senior forward Brandy Hudson and senior guard Jana Ciperova each added 11 points apiece for the Anteaters.

USF got seven points each from freshman center Corry Berger in her debut in the Green and Gold and senior guard Lindsey Huff. USF struggled from the floor, shooting at a .333 (21-63) pace for the game including a dismal .237 (9-38) in the second half. Irvine finished connecting at a .409 (18-44), including .563 (9-16) in the second frame. The Lady Dons were colder still from beyond the arc, converting on just .118 (2-17).

USF returns to action when they take to the road for a game at Nevada-Reno on Saturday, Nov. 24. Game time is at 1:00 PM at the Lawlor Events Center.