UC Irvine Gets a Victory and a Little Reward Too

Lulled into a false sense of security, then faced with a moment of urgency, UC Irvine did what it has done on rare occasions this season. Come through.

The reward for the Anteaters’ 64-58 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Thursday night was a trip to the Big West Conference tournament in Reno next week.

The bonus was showing the intestinal fortitude to hold off a charge by the Gauchos, who rallied from a 14-point deficit to take a 54-53 lead with 2:56 to play.

But many of the 1,130 in the Thunderdome were left chanting “overrated, overrated” at their own team--UC Santa Barbara was picked to finish second in the Western Division--after the Anteaters reeled off nine consecutive points.

UC Irvine (9-16, 6-9) made nine of 10 free throws in the last two minutes. Jason Flowers (12 points) made six of six.

Flowers made two free throws to give Irvine a 56-55 lead with 1:51 left. Andrew Carlson (12 points) then banked in a eight-foot jumper to make the score 58-55.

Santa Barbara (7-18, 4-10) outrebounded Irvine, 49-24, in a victory earlier this season.

This time the Anteaters had a 35-29 edge. Irvine also shot 63% in the second half.

Ben Jones’ jump shot gave Irvine a 49-35 lead with 11:16 left. The Gauchos then went on a 19-4 run, fueled by Raymond Tutt, who scored 14 of his 26 points in that span.