Anteaters’ losing streak continues

Early lead falls by the wayside in loss at the Oneida Holiday Classic. UCI has lost six of its last seven.GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- UC Irvine’s losing streak reached four as the Anteaters’ men’s basketball team lost to Wisconsin-Green Bay, 77-65, at the Oneida Classic on Friday.

UCI (4-7) has lost six of its last seven games.

The Anteaters made three of their first four three-pointers and led by as many as 12 points in the first half. Adam Metelski scored six of his 10 points in the first half before Wisconsin-Green Bay rallied to cut the deficit to three at halftime.

Josh Lawrence, who sat for much of the first half with foul trouble, came to life in the second half for the Phoenix (6-7). The forward hit three three-pointers early in the half and scored 21 of his game-high 28 points after the intermission.

Lawrence, named the tournament’s most valuable player, made 10 of his 13 shots, including 6 of 8 from three-point range.

There were four ties and three lead changes in the second half before Wisconsin-Green Bay took the lead for good on Mike Schachtner’s basket with 9:51 remaining. The Phoenix shot 61.5% from the field in the second half.

UCI was unable to recover, particularly from three-point range. After the initial flurry, the Anteaters made just 4 of their final 16 three-point shots.

“I was pleased with our effort as we played with greater intensity than the previous night,” UCI Coach Pat Douglass told reporters after the game. “We will build off this and we have to work on putting more possessions together.”

Patrick Sanders, making his second start of the season, scored a career-best 12 points for UCI. Nic Campbell and Darren Fells each added 11 points.

Ross Schraeder scored 10 points and was named to the all-tournament team.

Oneida Holiday Classic

Wisconsin-Green Bay 77,

UC Irvine 65

Score by Halves