Colleges: A memorable day at UCLA

Amara Aguilar

Some things, you just never forget.

Covering the men’s basketball game on Saturday featuring UC Irvine in

a battle against UCLA was an event I will always remember.

Going to Pauley Pavilion for the first time was amazing. History and

tradition emanates from the arena.

Everywhere you look inside -- on the seats, on the court, on the walls

-- the signature blue and yellow jumps out. The numerous banners are

symbols that this place has been filled with greatness over the

centuries.

Some of the most highly regarded players in college basketball have

played at Pauley Pavilion.

Celebrities are often spotted in attendance along with alumni, fans

and students. The place rocks when the crowd gets into the game.

Saturday’s contest between the Bruins and the Anteaters was especially

thrilling because of the intensity of the game.

UCI led, 29-27, at halftime, but the best was yet to come. In a

high-energy second half, the Anteaters led by as many as seven points,

but the Bruins’ Jason Kapono piled up 21 points in the second half to

help keep UCLA neck and neck with the Anteaters.

UCI’s Jerry Green also made clutch shots, scoring 13 points in the second half. Green came up big several times in the second half.

When the Bruins’ Billy Knight sank a thunderous three-pointer to cut

the Anteaters’ lead to 57-54 with 9:07 left in the game, Green answered

with a field goal. Knight proceeded to hit a two-pointer, but again Green

replied by making a basket, this time a three-pointer to put UCI ahead,

62-56.

UCI fans could be heard, chanting “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.”

In the end, Green missed an off-balance shot with seconds remaining as

UCLA pulled out a 75-74 victory.

Stanislav Zuzak also made some key shots and had one of the best games

of his career, scoring 22 points.

The game was so intense. The whole experience went by so fast. It was

over just like that. After the contest, another Daily Pilot reporter and

I went to the media room for interviews.

We stayed to talk to some players too, and then we walked out of

Pauley Pavilion, beyond the same doors we had entered through. We walked

on the beautiful UCLA campus in the wrong direction without even

realizing it. I was still thinking about the game.

I took one last look at the Pavilion as we headed into the parking

structure. I can still see it. I remember saying to myself, I’ll will

never forget this. Not ever.

The rankings are in and UCI’s Jonathan Endrikat is No. 74 in the Dec.

11 Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings. The last Anteater

to be ranked that high in singles is current assistant coach Steve

Tallakson, who was ranked 70th in the nation in 1997.

Endrikat and teammate Brian Morton are ranked 27th as a doubles team,

the highest for a UCI tandem since Chris Tontz and Fredrik Bach finished

the 1994 season ranked 12th.

UCI women’s tennis player Jonni Seymour is ranked 61st in the nation

in singles, her highest individual ranking.