IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Thursday night when the Big West-leading UC Irvine Anteaters host the struggling Long Beach State 49ers in a women’s basketball matchup at Bren Events Center. The Anteaters (21-4 overall) enter the contest as one of the conference’s dominant forces, having won 10 of their last 11 games. Their most recent outing was a 77-71 road victory at Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 14, powered by a season-high 30 points from standout guard Hunter Hernandez. Hernandez averages 16.2 points per game and has scored 20 or more in three of her last seven contests, establishing herself as a primary offensive catalyst for a balanced UC Irvine squad. Conversely, Long Beach State (3-21) has lost 10 of its last 11, with its lone win in that span a 75-72 victory over UC Riverside on Jan. 29. The 49ers are coming off a 77-66 home loss to UC Davis on Saturday, despite a strong all-around performance from guard JaQuoia Jones-Brown, who posted 21 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Jones-Brown has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 18.1 points per game and logging heavy minutes, including a 29-point outburst in the team’s last win. UC Irvine won the first meeting this season decisively, 78-59, at Long Beach State on Jan. 8. The Anteaters’ defense, which allows a conference-low 55.2 points per game, will aim to contain Jones-Brown and force turnovers from a 49ers team that averages 18.2 per game. For Long Beach State, any path to an upset likely requires another monumental effort from Jones-Brown and improved efficiency from a team shooting just 37.5% from the field. UC Irvine, seeking to solidify its hold on first place, will look to leverage its superior depth, defense, and home-court advantage where it is 10-1 this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.