Irvine Ends Regular Season With Victory

In a game that meant little to either team in the Big West Conference standings, UC Irvine defeated Utah State, 80-76, Saturday night before 7,016 in the Spectrum.

It was far from Irvine’s best effort of the season. It was Utah State’s worst, coming two days after an 84-82 loss to second-ranked Nevada Las Vegas.

“I thought we played fair and they played poorly,” Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said. “I’m just elated to get a win.”

The Anteaters (5-22 overall, 3-15 Big West) finished the regular season with three victories in their final five games. It was not enough to avoid last place, however.

Utah State missed a chance at a winning regular-season record, falling to 14-15 and 8-10. The Aggies finished in fifth place.

The Big West tournament begins Wednesday at the Long Beach Arena.

A layup by Ricky Butler gave Irvine the lead for good, 71-69, with 3:27 to play. The Anteaters made five of six free throws in the final 1:17 to stay in front.

Irvine led, 57-49, after a jump hook by Jeff Herdman with 10:49 to play. But the Aggies rallied, making the score 69-69 on a jumper by Randy Funk with 3:42 remaining.

Butler had 24 points and eight rebounds and Rod Palmer had 15 points to lead Irvine.