UCI sweet at home again

IRVINE — UC Irvine men’s basketball coach Pat Douglass repeatedly used the word solid to describe his team’s play in an 81-43 nonconference rout of Harvard Thursday at the Bren Events Center.

And with the kind of play the Anteaters displayed in improving to 4-0 at home, they may finally have enough firepower to avoid being transparent on the road.

UCI (5-8) used once-injured veterans Nic Campbell (15 points and seven rebounds) and Mark Kelley (11 points and seven boards) and the continued emergence of sophomore Adam Tempeton (a career-high six three-pointers to account for a game-high 18 points) and freshman point guard Mark Hunter (seven assists with only one turnover), to post its most lopsided victory in 40 games.

“It looked like an easy game, but a lot of effort went into defending [the Crimson],” said Douglass, who noted he was more impressed with his team’s defense than its offense.

Defensively, the Anteaters helped limit Harvard (7-7) to 30.3% shooting from the field (20 of 66). The ‘Eaters won the rebounding battle, 44-33, and committed one fewer turnover than the visitors’ 13.

“Any win builds confidence,” said Douglass, who has remained encouraged by his team’s progress, even through a 1-8 record away from home that includes seven straight road losses.

“I thought we’ve been playing pretty good basketball lately,” Douglass said. “I thought we played pretty well at Loyola Marymount and in our two games in Chicago. With the eight-player rotation we’re using now, I don’t think we’re wearing down as much.”

The rise of Kelley and Campbell, who missed substantial time early with a hip flexor and back ailment, respectively, has helped ease the burden carried by veteran starters Darren Fells and Patrick Sanders. Both Fells (Thursday) and Sanders (Dec. 16) have come off the bench recently.

In addition, Hunter has taken advantage of his opportunity for increased time in the backcourt, with junior Marcus McIntosh out — first with the flu and then for what Douglass said was failing to practice well.

McIntosh, who played just seven combined minutes in two games in Chicago, watched Thursday’s win from the stands in street clothes.

Douglass said he was not sure when McIntosh, who opened the year as the starting point guard before quickly being replaced in the lineup by junior Chuma Awaji, would earn the right to suit up for games.

But those who participated Thursday did much to entertain the 1,946 in attendance.

Led by Templeton, who drilled six of nine from three-point range, the Anteaters connected on 32 of 61 field-goal tries (52.5%), including 11 of 24 from threedom.

UCI used a 16-0 run to take a 23-7 advantage with 11:30 left in the first half. The hosts also had a pair of 8-0 spurts before intermission to emphasize their control of the game.

Campbell was five of nine from the field, including three three-pointers, while Kelley made five of his 10 field-goal attempts.

Sanders had 10 points and lead the team with three steals and two blocked shots.

Fells contributed six points (netting each of his three field-goal tries) and five rebounds, while freshman starter Chad DeCasas chipped in nine points and six boards.

All 12 Anteaters available played.

Templeton, who said the five days off since the Anteaters’ last game helped him rejuvenate his legs, upped his shooting from beyond the arc to 43.1% for the season (28 of 65), nearly four points better than it was coming into Thursday.

Templeton said he could not explain the discrepancy between his team’s home and road records.

“I don’t know how to answer that question,” he said. “But we jut seem to come out at home with a better mindset and intensity.”

UCI visits UC Davis Saturday night, before returning home to open Big West Conference play Jan. 4 against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Nonconference

UC Irvine 81, Harvard 48

Harvard -- Cusworth 11, Pusar 10, Goffredo 8, Housman 4, Lambert 5, Darcy 4, Churchwell 4, Lin 2.

3-pt. goals -- Gofreddo 2, Pusar 1, Lambert 1.

UC Irvine -- Templeton 18, Sanders 10, Kelley 11, DeCasas 9, Awaji 7, Campbell 15, Fells 6, Gieler 3, Johnson 2.

3-pt. goals -- Templeton 6, Campbell 3, Awaji 1, Kelley 1.

Halftime -- 43-20, UCI.