Eastern Washington

IRVINE — The second half of the UC Irvine women's basketball season opener was eerily similar to the way the Anteaters have started the past two seasons — slowly spiraling out of control. But because it was only one half of play that lead to an 80-60 nonconference loss to Eastern Washington Monday at the Bren Events Center, the Anteaters believe the problems can easily be solved and their season righted before getting to seven- and nine-game losing streaks that kicked off the past two seasons, respectively.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL Orange Coast def. Riverside RIVERSIDE ? The Pirates came from behind twice, denying an upset bid with a 22-30, 30-27, 25-30, 30-22, 15-12 Orange Empire Conference win on Wednesday. Sophomore Kiwi Winkler had 37 kills to lead OCC (18-1, 11-1 in conference), and Jacqi Reed added 30. Ashlee Moon had 36 digs, and Chelsea Spadaro added 67 assists for the Pirates against the Tigers (10-7, 6-6). MEN'S GOLF Pacific Invitational STOCKTON ?

Barry Faulkner Without its projected starting floor leader, the UC Irvine women's basketball team's attempt to defeat a more aggressive and efficient Eastern Washington squad in Friday's nonconference season opener proved, well, pointless. But the absence of sophomore Cal transfer Jackie Lord, sidelined by a strained quadriceps muscle that Coach Mark Adams termed a complication from knee surgery she underwent while at Brea Olinda High, would be too simple a scapegoat for the Anteaters' disappointing debut.

UC Irvine's women's basketball team turned the ball over 24 times, including 11 in the second half, in an exhibition game against Love and Basketball Sunday and the miscues resulted in 27 points that helped carry Love and Basketball to a 72-55 victory at the Bren Events Center. Senior forward Christian Callaway led the Anteaters with 15 points and seven rebounds, but UCI was outscored, 43-21 in the second half, after building a 17-point lead at one point and taking a 34-29 lead into the halftime break.

FULLERTON -- Robyn Piotrowski scored twice to lead the UC Irvine women's soccer team a 2-0, season-opening win over Eastern Washington in the Soccer Town Classic at Titan Stadium in Fullerton Saturday. Piotrowski scored from 25 yards out to give the Anteaters a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Then she added another unassisted goal before halftime (38th minute) after Eastern Washington's goalie missed a kick to clear from the top of the box. Overall, Coach Marine Cano's Anteaters outshot the Eagles, 21-9.