Freedom Bowl Basketball Tournament : UC Irvine Is Run Ragged in Its Season Opener : Georgia State Blows Past the Frigid-Shooting Anteaters for 109-84 Victory

UC Irvine’s new run-and-gun offense fired an embarrassing blank in its regular-season debut Friday night.

A lightly regarded Georgia State team had its way with the Anteaters--not to mention a rollicking good time--en route to a 109-84 victory in the first round of the Western Digital Freedom Bowl tournament.

A crowd of 2,400 in the Bren Center, expecting some offensive fireworks from the Anteaters, got more fizzle than dazzle--at least from the home team.

Georgia State, picked by The Sporting News, Street and Smith and Inside Sports, among others, to finish dead last in the less-than-powerful Trans America Athletic Conference, was certainly alive and well on this evening. The Crimson Panthers will meet Maryland in the championship game tonight at 8. Irvine faces Texas Christian in the consolation game at 6.

Georgia State dominated nearly every part of the game, but most obvious was the Crimson Panthers’ advantage in quickness. They continually streaked through the Anteaters’ retreating press for flying layups.

Georgia State’s players appeared hungry. The Anteaters looked as if they had just finished a huge Thanksgiving dinner before the tipoff.

“We felt their full-court defense was vulnerable,” Georgia State Coach Bob Reinhart said. “We didn’t expect to have such an easy time with their halfcourt defense, though.”

The biggest mismatch was Georgia State’s 5-foot 11-inch forward Leo Hunt versus anyone who tried to guard him. He went around a host of Anteater defenders--all at least 6 inches taller--as if they were statues. Hunt finished with 19 points, making 8 of 8 shots from the field.

“We had an awful time guarding him,” Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said, “but we didn’t defend the ball at all all night. It was a terrible performance.

“If we shoot a little better, then everything else looks a little better. But I’ve got no excuse for the defense.”

Irvine shot just 36% from the floor, while Georgia State spent the evening dropping in short-range shots at a 64% clip.

The Crimson Panthers started to open a gap midway through the first half and led at halftime, 57-44, after enjoying a 15-point advantage at one point.

The Anteaters spent much of the first half proving that you can run all night but if you don’t put the ball in the basket, you can’t lead the nation in scoring.

The Anteaters made just 18 of 42 first-half field-goal attempts and were 2 of 10 from 3-point range. Georgia State, meanwhile, was 3 for 3 beyond the 3-point stripe and shot 70% from the field.

With 1:29 remaining in the half, for example, Jeff Herdman dribbled the ball off his foot and it bounded away toward the Crimson Panthers’ basket. Lanard Copeland picked it up in full stride, spun in a reverse layup and was fouled. He made the free throw and the Crimson Panthers had a 55-40 lead.

Copeland led Georgia State, which had five players in double figures, with a career-high 22 points. James Andrews and Rodney Turner had 18 each. The Crimson Panthers, whose starting lineup measures 5-11, 6-5, 6-7, 6-5, 6-3--also had a comfortable 48-35 rebounding advantage.

Forward Mike Labat led Irvine with 16 points. Starters Herdman, Rod Palmer, who was in early foul trouble, and Kevin Floyd were a combined 11 for 34 from the field.

“We’re supposed to be the team that’s gonna run people out of the gym, but it looked like we were the ones who were tired,” Mulligan said, looking a bit fatigued himself.

“A lot of guys made a lot of mistakes. You certainly hope there’ll be better days. I don’t know . . . it makes you question if you’re doing the right thing.”