IRVINE, Calif. --- The UC Irvine Anteaters overcame a first-half deficit before holding off the Portland Pilots in the second half to prevail 63-52 in a non-conference women's basketball game played on Friday night at the Bren Events Center. The loss is the first of the season for the Pilots, who were led by Rachelle Owens with 12 points.
 
Eight of Owens' points came early in the third quarter after the Pilots (3-1) trailed 35-28 at the break. Owens opened the second half with a pair of three-pointers and a mid-range jumper to help pull the Pilots within two points of the Anteaters.
 
After Jordan Sanders hit a jumper for UC Irvine, Kate Andersen converted a lay-up to keep the Pilots within two halfway through the third period. From there the Anteaters were able to pull away and soon led by eight, but again Owens had a response, this time with a pull-up jumper to keep the visitors within reach.
 
But UC Irvine stretched their led to nine, and it would grow to 15 points early in the fourth quarter. The Pilots tried to mount a comeback, and a lay-up from Julie Spencer made it a 10-point deficit with 2:55 remaining, but the Anteaters (2-1) would hold on for the win.
 
Owens just missed matching her career high of 13 points, and she led the Pilots with four assists. Andersen and Spencer each finished with eight points, while Ashley Gray corralled a team-best six rebounds.
 
The Pilots out-rebounded their fourth straight opponent, claiming a slight 36-35 edge on the glass. The Anteaters were solid defensively as they held the Pilots well below their season averages of 73.0 points and 46.5 shooting percentage as Portland shot just 34.5 percent on the night. The Pilots also hit six three's out of 19 attempts and were six of 10 from the foul line.
 
UC Irvine combined to shoot 41.5 percent, connected for 10 three-pointers and went 9-for-11 at the line. Dani Guglielmo scored a game-high 15 points, and Andee Ritter hit a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth to finish with 14 points.
 
The first quarter was close as the Pilots led by one after the opening frame, and Portland scored the first seven points in the second to surge ahead 19-12. Moments later Maddie Muhlheim hit a three to keep the Pilots ahead by six, but the Anteaters recovered to overcome the deficit and led by seven at the half.
 
Next weekend the Pilots return to Southern California to play the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Saturday, with tip-off set for 2 p.m.