‘Eaters come out on top

IRVINE — This one was about belief.

The belief held by the UC Irvine men’s basketball team and, just as importantly, the one abandoned by its coach.

The result was a dramatic 69-67 Big West Conference victory over visiting UC Davis that lifted the Anteaters out of the conference cellar.

And this win, which junior guard Darren Moore called the biggest of the season, could even create enough momentum to lift the Anteaters out of a malaise that had seen them lose four straight Big West games, and seven of their last eight over a little more than the last month.

“I think this win right here could change things around for us,” said Moore, who had a career-high 21 points to lead all scorers, including a career-high four three-pointers. [UC Riverside, which entered the night tied with UCI for last place] lost tonight and it might be a big momentum shift four our team.”

A shift was in order from Douglass as well, after the Aggies (10-14, 6-6 in conference) matched their season high with 11 three-pointers in the first half against UCI’s two-three zone.

Douglass called for a shift to man-to-man defense in the second 20 minutes, and the Anteaters (11-15, 4-8) held the visitors to 32% shooting from the field, and just three-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc (27.3%).

Davis, which had beaten UCI four straight times and, Douglass said, creates a difficult matchup due to the inside-outside offensive capability of its big men, was held to two points the last 6:33.

After Ryan Sypkens hit a 14-footer with 4:27 left to give the visitors a 67-60 lead, UCI scored the final nine points, capped by Patrick Rembert’s driving left-handed layup with nine seconds left for the winning margin.

Sypkens missed a three-point attempt in the final seconds and Moore rebounded to seal the victory.

“We had practiced the zone and when we’ve been effective against [the Aggies], we’ve been in zone,” Douglass said of his reasoning behind remaining in the zone as Davis shot 64.7% from threedom before intermission. It was the most threes ever allowed in one half by a UCI team.

“They’re a tough matchup for us, man-to-man, but we had no choice the way they were burying the three,” Douglass said. “Sometimes, you jump out of a zone when [opponents] are making threes. I was a little stubborn [staying in the zone the whole first half]. But, after a while, better judgment ruled out.”

Senior guard Michael Hunter had 13 of his 19 points before halftime, as he and Moore split the ’Eaters’ six three balls in nine first-half attempts.

UCI finished eight of 16 from three-point range, to counter a shaky performance from the foul line (19 of 27, including just five of 11 in the final 6:06.

UCI sophomore Eric Wise, who leads the team in points, rebounds and assists, was held scoreless until 3:14 remained. He finished with a season-low three points in 27 minutes and sat nearly six minutes midway through the second half after collecting his fourth foul. Wise added four rebounds

“[Wise] didn’t play so well, but we all responded, so it was a great win,” said Moore, whose team-best nine rebounds tied his career high. Moore played all 40 minutes.

“Moore played outstanding,” Douglass said.

Rembert had nine points, a team-best five assists and just one turnover, while sophomore Adam Folker chipped in six points, seven rebounds and sank three of four field-goal tries. Folker started the second half and played 17 of his 20 minutes after intermission.

“Folker did a good job guarding [6-10 senior center Dominic Calegari, who was 13 for 15 from the field in the first three halves this season against UCI, but zero for five in the final 20 minutes Saturday],” Douglass said. “Really what won the game for us was the defensive effort in the second half.”

Wise made his only field goal, a 16-footer on an inbounds play with the shot clock ticking down with 2:01 left, to pull UCI within 67-65.

Moore sank two free throws to tie it with 1:18 left.

“It was kind of a must win for us, and to win it in the fashion we won it, could give us some enthusiasm and energy to get ready to go over and play [at UC Riverside on Wednesday],” Douglass said.

UCI outrebounded the Aggies, 23-9, in the second half.

The Anteaters had just one turnover at halftime, but finished with 10.

UCI’s bench was outscored, 21-3, in the first 20 minutes, but posted an 8-0 edge after the break.

Big West Conference

UC Irvine 69, UC Davis 67

UCD – Floyd 2, Calegari 13, Lowenthal 13, Sypkens 12, Harden 6, Welch 12, Malik 9.

3-pt. goals – Calegari 3, Lowenthal 3, Sypkens 3, Malik 3, Welch 2.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

UCI – Atkinson 6, Wise 3, Moore 21, Hunter 19, Rembert 9,, Folker 6, Flowers 3, Strings 2.

3-pt. goals – Moore 4, Hunter 3, Rembert 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

Halftime – UCD, 45-40.