IRVINE, Calif. - The No. 18 UC San Diego women's water polo team defeated Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday afternoon to earn 15th place at the UC Irvine Invitational in Corona del Mar Pool.

Kirsten Bates and Hanalei Crowell scored three goals apiece as the Tritons climbed back with a nine-goal second half. Leah Gonzalez and Jessica Tran tallied a pair of scores while Melissa Bartow, Allison Delgado and Natalie Peng contributed goals of their own.

The win improves the Tritons to 7-8 overall and 4-1 against fellow Western Water Polo Association opponents. It also snaps a five-match losing skid for UCSD. Cal State Bakersfield drops to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in the WWPA.

UCSD fell to No. 17 UC Davis in the Tritons' opening game of the day, as UCD rallied for three goals in the final frame to take the match, 10-9. Bartow scored three goals against the Aggies while Katherine Biehle and Crowell contributed two goals apiece.

UCD would move on to beat No. 12 Cal State Northridge to earn 13th place in the tournament.

Crowell led the Tritons with seven goals throughout the tournament while Bates scored six times. Freshmen Bartow and Biehle finished with four goals. Allie Taylor stopped 11 opponents' shots over the two days and Kristen Ostosh followed with nine saves.

UCSD will be back in action on Friday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m. against CSUB in Canyonview Pool. The following two days the Tritons will take part in the Aztec Invitational, March 12-13, at San Diego State.

Game 20 (11:45 AM)
at Corona del Mar
UC San Diego vs. UC Davis
Box Score
                  1 2 3 4 F
UCSD         3 2 3 1 9
UCD           2 1 4 3 10

Recap: UC Davis comes through in a tight contest over the Tritons.

UCSD goals: Kirsten Bates - 1, Melissa Bartow - 3, Hanalei Crowell - 2, Katherine Biehle - 2, Jessica Tran - 1

UCD goals: Michelle Hook - 1, Ashley Chandler - 1, Ariel Feeney - 2, Kaylee Miller - 1, Dakotah Mohr - 1, Jessica Dunn - 2, Carmen Eggert - 1

Saves: Woods (UCD) - 7, Ostosh (UCSD) - 3

Game 28 (5:15 PM)
at Corona del Mar
Cal State Bakersfield vs. UC San Diego
Box Score
                1 2 3 4  F
CSUB        1 4 2 3 10
UCSD        2 2 4 5 13

Recap: Big second half helps UC San Diego pull out a victory against the Roadrunners.

CSUB goals: Bianca Adams - 1, Mali Pahoa - 2, Jessica Browning - 3, Sam Shead - 3, Taylor Hanson - 1

UCSD goals: Kirsten Bates - 3, Melissa Barlow - 1, Hanalei Crowell - 3, Allison Delgado - 1, Leah Gonzales - 2, Natalie Peng - 1, Jessica Tran - 2

Saves: Pezzolla (CSUB) - 10, Ostosh (UCSD) - 2, Taylor (UCSD) - 4

Game 5 (9:00 AM)
at UC Irvine
USC vs. UC San Diego
Box Score
               1 2 3 4  F
USC         5 3 5 1 14
UCSD       1 1 2 1  5

Recap: The Trojans controlled the match from the start and scored 5 exclusions goals to advance

USC goals: Nicolina McCall - 1, Dominique Sardo - 2, Sarah Van Norman - 1, Joelle Bekhazi - 1, Nadia Dan - 3, Kara-Leigh Huse - 1, Constance Hiller - 2, Patricia Jancso - 1, Kaleigh Gilchrist - 1, Kristen Dronberger - 1

UCSD goals: Kirsten Bates - 2, Felicia Orozco - 1, Hanalei Crowell - 1, Katherine Biehle - 1

Saves: Bolonya (USC) - 4, Ostosh (UCSD) - 1, Taylor (UCSD) - 5

Game 14 (3:15 PM)
at UC Irvine
UC San Diego vs. UC Irvine
Box Score
                1 2 3 4 F
UCSD       1 0 1 1 3
UCI          2 2 6 1 11

Recap: UC Irvine takes command with a six-goal third quarter to down the Tritons.

UCSD goals: Hanalei Crowell - 1, Katherine Biehle - 1, Leah Gonzales - 1

UCI goals: Katie Croghan - 2, Cortney Collyer - 1, Kelsey Klatt - 1, Hannah Croghan - 2, Michaela Pierandozzi - 1, Hillary Estrada - 1, Danielle Warde - 1, Amy Riddering - 1, Layne Kipp - 1

Saves: Ostosh (UCSD) - 3, Taylor (UCSD) - 2, Avetoom (UCI) - 6