‘Eaters defeat Harvard in overtime

BOSTON — The UC Irvine men’s basketball team erased an 18-point second half deficit to defeat Harvard, 80-77, in overtime Sunday.

It was the Crimson’s seventh straight loss.

The Anteaters’ Brett Lauer made a three-point goal with 14 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 67-67, and force the teams to head into overtime.

Jeremy Lin scored six straight points for Harvard with less than four minutes left in overtime, giving the Crimson a 75-71 lead, but Irvine answered with a 9-2 run to close out the game.

UC Irvine outscored the Crimson (4-11) 22-7 in the final minutes of the game, to catch up after trailing 59-45 with 5:22 left in regulation. He had 11 of Harvard’s 26 turnovers.

The thrilling overtime win stopped a three game slide for the Anteaters.

Harvard’s Drew Housman, and 87.7 percent free throw shooter on the season, missed four free throws in the last five minutes of regulation.

Darren Fells scored 24 points, and had five steals, four blocks, and seven rebounds before he fouled out in overtime.

Patrick Sanders had 13 points, three blocks, four rebounds, and two assists for the Anteaters (5-8), who trailed 33-24 at halftime. Marcus McIntosh added 13 points for the Anteaters.

Pat Magnarelli scored 17 points, and added 12 rebounds for Harvard. Evan Harris had 15 points and eight rebounds. Lin had 20 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals.

The Anteaters will open Big West Conference play Friday at Cal State Fullerton (7-4) at 7:05 p.m.

— From staff reports

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Nonconference

UC Irvine 80, Harvard 77

UCI – Fells 24, Sanders 13, McIntosh 13, Lauer 10, Hunter 8, Bland 6, DeCasas 3, Harris 3.

3-pt. goals – Lauer 2, Harris 1, McIntosh 1, DeCasas 1.

Fouled out – Fells, Hunter.

Technicals – None.

HARV – Lin 20, Magnarelli 17, Harris 15, Unger 10, Housman 8, McGeary 3, Pusar 2, Carey 2.

3-pt. goals – Unger 2, McGeary 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

Halftime – HARV, 33-24.