Anteaters, Awaji overwhelm Sam Houston

IRVINE — Like many at this time of year, UC Irvine men’s basketball coach Pat Douglass has a few lists that are under constant scrutiny.

When it comes to his basketball wishes, he saw significant progress in the Anteaters’ 70-62 overtime win over nonconference visitor Sam Houston State on Saturday at the Bren Events Center.

“To pull this one out; that’s a big win for us,” said Douglass, whose team shot 54.8% after halftime (including three of five from the field in overtime), and committed just five turnovers in the final 25 minutes (13 overall) to improve to 4-6.

Junior Chuma Awaji, who along with the rest of his fellow guards had struggled to take care of the ball and provide consistent scoring, led the winners with 15 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. He also matched his three turnovers with three assists in 26 minutes and made five of nine field-goal attempts.

“Chuma had a good ballgame,” said Douglass, who pointed out that the 6-foot-3 transfer from Lon Morris Community College in Texas played the final 15 minutes with four fouls. “I don’t remember us ever having a guard get 14 rebounds.”

Campbell, who did not start the game, but started the second half, rebounded from a season-long absence to chip in 10 points and four rebounds, with only one turnover, in 21 minutes.

Junior center Darren Fells made six of eight field-goal tries on his way to 14 points. He played just 28 minutes, well below his norm, due to cramps and a bruise on the inside of his right knee.

Senior Mark Kelley, still finding his way in just his third game back, after sitting out with a hip flexor strain, made his first start, in place of season scoring leader Patrick Sanders.

The 6-9 Kelley had five points and seven rebounds, and also provided a defense presence, posting four of the Anteaters’ nine blocked shots.

Most of the shots UCI didn’t swat or alter failed to find the mark as the Bearkats (6-4), picked to win the West Division of the Southland Conference, finished just 20 of 72 from the field (27.8%).

The visitors were 10 of 37 from three-point range, but were only 10 of 35 from inside the arc. They made just seven of their 29 field-goal attempts in the first half, then missed their first five shots in the second half, allowing UCI to extend a two-point halftime lead with a 7-0 spurt after intermission.

After UCI widened its advantage to 31-21, Sam Houston began finding the range. With the benefit of two three-pointers, the Bearkats erased the lead within a span of 98 seconds and the game was nip and tuck from the rest of regulation.

A three-pointer by Awaji with 2:29 left in regulation put the Anteaters up, 54-53, signaling the game’s 10th lead change.

Sanders, out of the starting lineup for the first time all season, pushed the advantage to three points with a pair of free throws with 1:04 left.

But Sam Houston State pulled even on a three-pointer by Aaron Wade with 45 seconds left.

After the Bearkats rebounded Awaji’s missed three-point try, Awaji appeared to take a charge with three seconds left. But one official overruled another who called the foul, ruling that the visitors called timeout before the contact.

Sam Houston had two shots near the basket in the final seconds of regulation, but could not convert.

Sam Houston then missed the first seven shots of the five-minute extra session, allowing UCI to score seven straight points to take command.

“The thing I liked the most was that our kids gutted it out,” Douglass said “We just kept battling when things weren’t going so well.

When [Fells] cramped up and [Kelley] fouled out [with 3:20 left in regulation], it was not a bad luxury to have [Campbell]. He came in and made a couple key passes, made a layup and blocked a shot. It was like having a nice early Christmas present to have him back. He’s such a smart player. He acted like he had been playing all season.”

Campbell, who averaged 10.5 points as a junior, said it was good to be back in the lineup.

“I felt like I was a step slow in the first half, but I came back out and had some fun. It really helps when you get the win.”

Awaji, whose previous highs were 13 points and seven rebounds, said his production was secondary to his focus on defense and taking care of the ball.

“I’ve been in a little bit of slump lately, so I just wanted to come out and be aggressive,” Awaji said.

UCI visits Chicago for nonconference games against DePaul (Wednesday) and Loyola of Chicago (Friday).

The ‘Eaters playing host to Harvard on Dec. 28 and visit UC Davis on Dec. 30, before opening Big West Conference play at home against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Jan. 4).

Nonconference

UC Irvine 70,

Sam Houston State 62, (OT)

Sam Houston State -- Bright 6, Hadley 8, Wade 6, Plair 16, McDaniel 5, Thomas 10, Barrett 9, Mitchell 2.

3-pt. goals -- Thomas 3, Plair 2, Hadley 2, McDaniel 1, Wade 1, Bright 1.

Fouled out -- Plair, Mitchell.

Technicals -- None.

UC Irvine -- Templeton 6, Fells 14, Kelley 5, Awaji 15, DeCasas 8, Campbell 10, Sanders 7, Hunter 5.

3-pt. goals -- Campbell 1, Awaji 1.

Fouled out -- Kelley.

Technicals -- None.

Halftime -- 30-28, UCI.