Irvine Blows 12-Point Lead, Falls to Utah State

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD

Jan. 3, 1990 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

It’s a new year, but the same old UC Irvine.

The Anteaters, at their inconsistent best, dropped their Big West Conference opener to Utah State, 80-70, Tuesday night at the Bren Center.

This time, Irvine blew a 12-point, first-half lead by shooting poorly and turning the ball over 12 times in the second half.

Irvine (2-8 overall, 0-1 in Big West play) shot only 39% from the field and wasn’t much better at the free-throw line, making 55.6%. The Anteaters also reached their average for turnovers, making 17.

Despite all, Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said he was encouraged by the Anteaters’ play.

“I think we’ll come along,” Mulligan said. “I’m not discouraged. I saw a lot of good things out there.”

One good sign was that the Anteaters didn’t give up, even after Utah State (7-5, 1-0) built a 15-point lead in the second half.

Irvine cut the lead to 71-68 with 1:06 left. But that was as close as the Anteaters could get.

Utah State’s Jeff Parris made two free throws and Kendall Youngblood got two more as the Aggies held off Irvine in the final minute.

Youngblood had a game-high 20 points and Randy Funk added 15 for the Aggies.

Ricky Butler had 18 and Rod Palmer 13 for Irvine, which lost its third consecutive game.

Irvine was rolling along with a 24-12 lead with 10:58 left in the half. But the momentum changed quickly. After Palmer grabbed a rebound and canned a three-footer, Utah State took control.

Youngblood, held scoreless until then, made a short jumper. Jeff Von Lutzow’s jam at the other end kept Irvine ahead by 10, but not for long.

Funk scored, Youngblood made two free throws, Sean Lake swept in for a fast-break layup, Youngblood made another jumper to bring the Aggies to within 28-26. Rich Jardine then tied it, 28-28, with a reverse jam after a no-look pass from Allan Gordon.

Utah State pushed the lead to 44-32 as Irvine unraveled.

Even a three-pointer by Palmer before halftime could not pick up the Anteaters. They headed to the locker room, trailing, 44-35.