Preview: Cal State Northridge Matadors at No. -- UC Irvine Anteaters IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging UC Irvine women’s basketball team, boasting one of the nation’s top records, will look to continue its dominant season when it hosts struggling Cal State Northridge in a Big West Conference matchup Thursday night at Bren Events Center. The Anteaters (23-4, 12-2 Big West) enter as heavy favorites, having won 10 of their last 11 games. Their lone conference loss since December came on the road at Hawaii on Jan. 29. UC Irvine is led by standout guard Jada Wynn, who is averaging 18.1 points per game in her last seven contests. She scored 20 points in a narrow 70-68 road win over UC San Diego last Saturday. Conversely, the Matadors (9-16, 5-9) have lost six of their last eight games. They are coming off an 85-75 home victory over Long Beach State, powered by 19 points from guard Saray White and a 20-point performance from Rita Nazario. White has been a bright spot, scoring in double figures in five of her last eight games. The teams met earlier this season on Dec. 6, with UC Irvine securing a decisive 72-46 victory in Northridge. The Anteaters’ defense, which leads the conference, held the Matadors to 27.9% shooting in that contest. UC Irvine currently sits atop the Big West standings, while Cal State Northridge is tied for seventh. The Anteaters have been nearly unbeatable at home this season, with a 12-1 record at Bren Events Center. For the Matadors to pull an upset, they will need another high-scoring effort from White and Nazario while finding a way to disrupt Wynn and UC Irvine’s efficient offense, which averages a conference-best 71.2 points per game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.