FULLERTON, Calif. - The new year started the same as 2023 finished as the Titans dropped a game against UC Irvine at home on Thursday in a 68-44 loss at Titan Gym.
The Titans fell to 5-8 overall for the season and 1-2 in conference play.
The Titans tied a season low in points scored with 44 points. Â
Gabi Vidmar was the only Titan in double figures as she scored 14 points. The Titans had their second worst shooting night of the season as they shot 32.1% from the floor on 18-for-56 shooting. Â The Anteaters shot 44.1% from the floor. Â The Anteaters also won the rebound battle as they outrebounded the Titans 41-to-35. Â The Anteaters capitalized on the Titans 19 turnovers which led to 19 points.
In what has been a theme for four of the last five games, the Titans came out the gates slow for the first half.
Fujika Nimmo led the game off with a basket on the Titans first possession before the Anteaters took the lead. Â
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The Titans kept it within one possession after baskets by Vidmar and Nimmo. Â However, the Anteaters would take a 14-8 lead to end the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Anteaters outscored the Titans 22-to-6 as they led 36 to 14 at halftime. Â The 14 points in the first half was a season low scored by the Titans.
The Titans played much better in the second half as in the third quarter, the Anteaters only outscored the Titans 16-to-14. The Titans cut the lead to 19 points after a three-pointer by Vidmar and a layup by
Ashlee Lewis to make it a 38-19 game. Â
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Demonnie Lagway made back-to-back layups during the quarter.
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However, the Anteaters would stretch the lead back to 24 points at 52-28 to end the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, both sides scored 16 points each. Â
Fujika Nimmo found
Ashlee Lewis for a bucket to start the scoring for the Titans in the fourth quarter. Â
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Gabi Vidmar forced back-to-back stops on the Anteaters inbounds play which led to a Vidmar layup and a Nimmo three-pointer.
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The Titans will head on the road to take on the UC San Diego Tritons on Saturday. Â Tip-off is set for 2 PM at the Liontree Arena. Â The Tritons are coming a 64-50 win over UC Santa Barbara at home on Thursday night.