Streaking Irvine Beats Utah State, 78-72

There was a time not long ago--anyone remember last season?--when UC Irvine would have been ecstatic to split a two-game trip through Reno and Logan, two of the toughest places for a visiting Big West Conference team to win.

These days, however, the Anteaters are the scourge of the conference. So they accepted their sweep of Nevada and Utah State and a fourth consecutive victory, a 78-72 defeat of the Aggies in front of 8,069 in the Spectrum Saturday night, with a satisfied nonchalance.

“I think we have some guys who are special,” Coach Rod Baker said, “some guys who are battle-tested, guys who have been in these situations before, guys who weren’t necessarily overwhelmed to come in here and play.”

Irvine, 9-6 overall and 6-2 in the Big West, was clearly overwhelmed last season, losing at Reno by 16 points and at Logan by 27. It was different story this time around, thanks in large part to point guard Raimonds Miglinieks. Miglinieks had a team-high 17 points and eight assists, but when he scored was more important than how much he scored.

Utah State closed to within four points with 11 minutes left in the game, but Miglinieks scored on a driving bank shot, was fouled, and made the free throw.

When the Aggies trimmed a 14-point Irvine lead to six, Miglinieks made a three-point basket that put Irvine ahead, 71-62, with 2:41 remaining.

Center Eric Franson led the Aggies (10-10, 4-4) with 19 points and 12 rebounds.