UC Irvine’s Rally Comes Up Short, 73-65

After losing seven of its previous eight games and falling into last place in the Big West Conference, UC Irvine threw a scare into No. 16 New Mexico State Saturday night before losing, 73-65, before 2,522 in the Bren Center.

Irvine’s Jeff Herdman scored 17 points in the first half, making four of eight three-point attempts. Both teams shot better than 50% in the first half, with New Mexico State holding a 42-40 lead.

But the Aggies stepped up their high-pressure, trapping zone defense in the second half, and Herdman added only one three-pointer to finish with 20 points.

The Anteaters (8-17 overall, 3-10 Big West) committed 33 turnovers last month against the Aggies, who are forcing an average of 23. Irvine made 21 this time, 12 in the second half, when New Mexico State forced the ball into the corner and Irvine’s big men turned it over.

Irvine’s Ricky Butler, who scored 11 points and was held to seven shots, had six turnovers, as did Jeff Von Lutzow, who scored 14 points.

Tracey Ware scored 16 points for New Mexico State, making seven of eight shots. Michael New added 13 points.

New Mexico State (17-2, 9-1) led, 60-52, with 10 minutes to play after back-to-back three-pointers by Terry Bennett.

Irvine cut the lead to 63-62 with 5:43 left on a shot by Butler, who then turned the ball over on a chance to go ahead.