San Jose State Wins Battle of Worst

UC Irvine and San Jose State, two teams looking to the future while trying to forget the past, met in a battle of the Big West Conference’s worst.

With an 84-78 victory Thursday at the Recreation and Events Center, San Jose managed to avoid finishing in last place.

For weeks, it’s almost been a foregone conclusion that Irvine would finish there.

When Irvine’s Ricky Butler was called for charging with 25 seconds left and the Anteaters trailing, 80-78, things looked grim.

San Jose guard Tom Desiano’s four-for-four free-throw shooting then sealed Irvine’s fate and saved the Spartans after they blew an 11-point lead in the final 10:34.

Irvine rallied when Dylan Rigdon and Justin Anderson made three-point baskets, cutting the Spartans’ lead to 68-63.

Later, Butler hit two free throws and scored on a layup as Irvine trailed, 73-70, with 4:59 left.

Craig Marshall’s free throw with 2:17 left tied it, 75-75.

San Jose’s Andre Brooks and Rigdon matched three-point baskets. Kevin Logan gave the Spartans the lead for good with a 10-foot jump shot with 1:14 left.

After a timeout and missed shot, Irvine worked the ball inside to Butler, who crashed into three Spartans as he tossed in an off-balance, five-foot shot.

Butler was called for charging, wiping out the basket and giving San Jose the ball.

“I’m not coaching that well, how the hell can I ref?” Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said when asked about the call.

“I didn’t think I (charged),” said Butler, who had a game-high 19 points. “I was trying to catch my balance and I dipped my shoulder. I don’t think it was a charge.”

Rigdon added 18 points, but was three of 11 from the field. He also had seven assists. Jeff Von Lutzow added 14 points.

Kenne Young led San Jose with 18 points. Terry Cannon, a freshman who led Crenshaw High to the state Division I championship last season, added 15.

San Jose improved to 8-18, 5-12 in the Big West. Irvine (4-22, 2-15) ends the regular season at Utah State Saturday.