UC Irvine Beats San Jose in PCAA Opener, 72-67

UC Irvine opened Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. play Thursday night with a surprising 72-67 win over San Jose State at Irvine.

There were several reasons to expect Irvine to struggle against the Spartans. First, the records: San Jose State is now 7-3 overall, Irvine only 5-5.

Second, the Anteaters were playing without junior guard Joe Buchanan, who suffered a bruise over his left knee in practice Wednesday.

Mike Hess started in Buchanan’s spot and made 5 of 9 shots and 3 of 4 free throws, including both ends of a one-and-one to give Irvine a 70-65 lead with 49 seconds left.

Irvine forward Johnny Rogers made 9 of 14 shots, including 2 of 3 from three-point range, and finished with a game-high 21 points. In their last outing, the Anteaters lost to a Nevada Reno team that made 10 three-point shots. This time, Irvine hit 5 of 11 three-point shots over San Jose State’s frustrated zone defense.

Irvine used more zone defense against the Spartans than it had employed in any game this season. The zone helped keep the Anteaters out of severe foul trouble, and it helped Brooks and Hess play 38 and 37 minutes, respectively.

“The zone helps,” Hess said. “You don’t have to play individual defense, and you don’t get many reaching or blocking fouls. Plus, you’re only moving in about a three-foot radius, so it’s not as tiring.”

San Jose State forward Reggie Owens, who came into the game averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds a game, was held to 5 rebounds and 12 points. Sophomore transfer Ricky Berry, son of Spartan Coach Bill Berry, had 16 points and 2 rebounds before fouling out with 14 seconds to play.

Irvine held a 33-27 halftime lead, but the Spartans made several runs in the second half. George Puou gave San Jose State its first lead of the second half on a bank shot with 10:19 to play.

Irvine regained the lead, 48-47, on a turnaround jumper in the lane by senior forward Tod Murphy, then extended it to 51-47 with 9:22 left when Rogers hit a three-pointer.