Anteaters Enter Fresno Without Fear

Irvine’s basketball team has never come into this town brimming with confidence, but the Anteaters--0-11 at Fresno State’s Selland Arena--arrived Friday feeling pretty good about themselves and their chances of ending that streak tonight.

They have won three in a row, escaping from Stockton with an 87-80 victory over University of the Pacific Thursday night.

If the Anteaters (9-6 overall, 4-2 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.) are in a groove, the Bulldogs (4-11, 1-5) are in a rut. Once a defensive juggernaut, Fresno State has fallen from in-your-face grace. UC Santa Barbara shot 61% in the second half Thursday night en route to a 75-61 victory. Fresno State made 12 of 25 three-point attempts, keeping the game from becoming a blowout.

Even Selland Arena has lost its charm for the Bulldogs, who are 0-3 on their court in conference play.