UCI, Pacific Go to Mats and Anteaters Emerge With 69-64 Win

Who says mediocrity can’t be fun?

The basketball teams of UC Irvine and the University of the Pacific got together Saturday night to confirm that thought.

When the game ended and UCI had its second Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. win of the season, 69-64, in front of 1,004 in Crawford Hall, the teams had combined for 43 fouls, 1 technical foul and 34 turnovers.

“Overall that may be the most physical game I’ve ever been in,” said Anteater forward Tod Murphy, sporting a bump on the side of his face. “There’s only one way to describe a game like this: physical . . . and sloppy.”

Only 16 of the game’ 43 fouls were called in the first half. With the officials letting the action go, the game turned from physical to brutal.

As examples, UCI guard Jerome Lee was knocked on his back when he tried to make a cut through the middle of the key, UOP’s Domingo Rosario was hit in the head more than once and even one of the ball boys almost got flattened by a falling Murphy.

“Don King would have been proud of this one,” Murphy said.

Besides Johnny Rogers’ game-high 21 points for UCI, Murphy was the only other Anteater to score in double figures with 13. He also led UCI with 12 rebounds, and Rogers had 10.

There was nothing surprising about the Anteater shooting, it was bad again. The Anteaters shot only 43% from the field. UCI came into the game shooting just 47% from the field, and that seems to have Coach Bill Mulligan mystified.

“I just don’t understand it. We’re the same coaching staff that had the the nation’s top field goal shooting team three years ago, so I know it’s not us.” Mulligan said. “It comes down to the fact that we can’t hit a jump shot. Even tonight, most of our baskets came on tip-ins and shots inside.”

Pacific was no better. The Tigers also shot 43% from the field, but they even missed a number of easy layups and inside shots.

UOP led for much of the first half until Anteater guard Troy Carmon hit a jumper in the key to put UCI ahead, 15-13, with 9:50 remaining. The Anteaters never relinquished the lead.

UCI (2-2, 7-8 overall) had to fight a late UOP rally that saw the Tigers come within three with 10 seconds left on a tip-in by Tiger forward Drew Rodgers.

However, UCI forward Rick Ciaccio hit two free throws with seven seconds remaining to seal the win.

Rosario led the Tigers (0-3, 4-8) with 17 points. The 6-foot 5-inch freshman from the the Dominican Republic so impressed Mulligan that he soon might be doing a little island shopping.

“He may be the best freshman in the conference,” Mulligan said. “I think I’ll head down to the Dominican this summer and see if I can’t find me something, too.”