UC Irvine Loses, 73-70, in Double Overtime

UC Irvine’s fist-pumping attempt to open the season 2-0 after winning only 16 games in the last two seasons ended in a 73-70 double-overtime loss to Colorado Monday night in the Bren Center.

Bolstered by the play of freshman forward Elzie Love and senior center Don May, who had been booed by his own fans much of his career, Irvine forced both extra periods and led by as many three in the second overtime, but finally fell when Colorado blocked Jeff Von Lutzow’s three-point attempt in the final seconds.

Irvine, playing only its second game under Coach Rod Baker, botched a chance to win the game in the final minute. The Anteaters had the ball trailing by one with 44 seconds left when Gerald McDonald drove the baseline for about a three-footer. But he decided against using the backboard and missed.

Irvine’s Von Lutzow rebounded the miss, but his two-footer missed as well, and Colorado rebounded.

Colorado’s James Hunter sank two free throws with 12 seconds left to give Colorado (2-1) its final 73-70 margin.

Irvine forced the first overtime after Love took a pass on the baseline, spun into the lane and banked in a shot to tie the score, 53-53, with 19 seconds left.

Colorado pushed the ball upcourt and got off four shots, as a desperate tipping battle for the rebound followed Billy Law’s missed shot, but time expired on the Buffaloes.

Irvine was trailing by two as the clock neared 10 seconds remaining in the first overtime when McDonald drove the baseline, hung in the air and drew a foul by Anthony Pulliam.

After a Colorado timeout, McDonald made both free throws, tying the score, 61-61, with 8.9 seconds remaining.

Pulliam’s 22-footer as time expired was no good, forcing the second overtime.

Irvine took a 66-63 lead in the second overtime when May completed a three-point play off an offensive rebound. May, who once inspired a fraternity top-10 list, “Why Don May Should Never Play Basketball Again,” had a career-high 13 points and 10 rebounds.”