Men’s Basketball: Guards propel ‘Eaters
UC Irvine men’s basketball coach Russell Turner has made the assertion that senior guard Luke Nelson is typically the best player on the floor.
But Saturday night, Nelson had some competition for that title from two of his backcourt mates.
Senior Jaron Martin and freshman Eyassu Worku out-produced Nelson on the score sheet to help the Anteaters earn a 79-60 Big West Conference home victory over UC Riverside.
Martin had six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 26 points, while Worku was eight for eight from the field to amass a career-high 20 points.
Nelson had an efficient 14 points as the three ‘Eaters’ guards combined to match the scoring output of all the Highlanders.
The win helped UCI (16-12, 9-3 in conference) take over sole possession of first place after UC Davis lost at Cal State Fullerton on Saturday and fell to 8-5 in conference.
UCI appeared unwilling to take control of the game, as it trailed, 15-5, past the midway point of the opening half. UCI trailed until 40 seconds remained in the first half.
But Martin scored UCI’s final eight points of the first half, including a 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer, to help create a 31-26 advantage at the break.
Martin remained hot, draining three three-pointers in the first 5:24 of the second half to help UCI gain further separation.
During a stretch of 8:42, spanning the late first half and early second half, Martin and Nelson scored 24 of UCI’s 25 points, after which the hosts led, 48-29.
Worku, who made both of his three-pointers, had a team-best five assists and did not have a turnover in 22 minutes, scored the next six points for the Anteaters, who led by as many as 23.
UCI shot 63.3% from the field in the second half, while limiting Riverside (7-17, 5-8) to 10-for-30 shooting after the break.
The Highlanders finished 20 for 56 from the field (35.7%), while UCI wound up 30 for 58 (a solid 51.7%), and 11 for 26 from threedom (42.3%).
Martin, Nelson and Worku were 23 for 34 from the field (67.6%) and a combined 58.8% from beyond the arc (10 for 17).
“We were really good, offensively in our perimeter positions,” Turner said. “Jaron, Luke and Eyassu all shot the ball well and when that happens for us, we can get on offensive runs, like we did.
“Eyassu was great, and not only on offense. He was really active on defense and made some effort plays to rebound and knock the ball loose. He was as good tonight as I expect him to be.”
Turner may not have expected to be alone in first at the end of the week, but UC Davis lost twice and UCI has won two straight, following a three-game conference losing streak.
“We know where we are and we know what’s in front of us,” Turner said. “It’s a 16-game championship that is down to a four-game [regular-season] championship. We have a little edge and it will be important for us to stay focused on what is right in front of us. I thought in the three [conference] games we lost, our team maybe allowed some success to go to our heads. Every team in this league can beat us, but if we play well, we can beat any team in this league.”
UCI returns to action on Wednesday at Cal State Fullerton.
Big West Conference
UC Irvine 79, UC Riverside 60
UCR – Rosser 9, Johnson 8, Larsson 9, Thomas 4, Martin 9, Flippin 9, Dijkstra 8, Thames 4.
3-pt. goals – Flippin 3, Rosser 2, Johnson 1.
Fouled out –Dijkstra.
Technicals – None.
UCI – Smith 2, Galloway 0, Dimakopoulos 9, Martin 26, Nelson 14, Worku 20, Traylor 3, Leonard 2, Greene 2, Rutherford 1.
3-pt. goals – Martin 6, Nelson 2, Worku 2, Traylor 1.
Fouled out – None.
Technicals – None.
Halftime – 31-26, UCI.
Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5
