‘Eaters play host to Bears

The UC Irvine men’s basketball team, off to its worst Big West

Conference start since the 1999-2000 season, will meet conference

visitor UC Riverside tonight at 7:05.

The Anteaters (7-6, 2-2 in the Big West) posted their lowest point

total of the season Saturday in a 67-52 loss at the University of the

Pacific. UCI shot just 34% from the field (18 of 53), including a

paltry 9.5% from three-point range (2 of 21 and 0 for 14 in the

second half).

UCR (5-6, 2-1), yet to play a Big West road game, is led by

6-foot-7 sophomore Nate Carter. Last year’s Big West Freshman of the

Year paces five Bears averaging double figures with 14.6 points per

game.

UCI’s top two scorers, sophomore guard Mike Efevberha (12.8 ppg)

and 7-0 senior center Adam Parada (11.7 ppg) will try to rebound from

subpar performances at UOP. Efevberha had four points and Parada one

against the Tigers, all from the free-throw line.

The Anteaters will see the return of 6-8 junior post player Greg

Ethington, who was cleared to play Wednesday after missing four games

because of an academic issue. In nine games this season, Ethington

has averaged 5.2 points and 2.4 rebounds.

-- Barry Faulkner