UCI Tumbles in Eastern Washington

If this wasn’t rock bottom, it certainly was deep enough. All you had to do was listen to UC Irvine’s leadership.

“I prefer not to talk,” said senior Paul Foster, the Anteaters’ only returning starter.

“I’m so confused right now, I don’t know what to tell you,” point guard Lamarr Parker said.

It was that somber an evening after Irvine lost to Eastern Washington, 80-53, Wednesday in front of 884 at Reese Court. Being smoked by Washington State, which the Anteaters were Monday, is one thing. Being blown out by Eastern Washington, a team that won three games last season, is another matter.

“If this road trip is a reality check, then it’s going to be a long season,” forward Wendell Robinson said.

The Eagles (3-2) put the game away with a 28-8 run midway through the second half. They finished that off with a 12-0 run for a 65-40 lead with 9 minutes 38 seconds left.

Thus Irvine (0-3)--off to its worst start since 1984-85--was lumped with Western Montana and Grambling, the Eagles’ other two victories. Not exactly three-fourths of a Final Four.

The Anteaters continue to have the same problems. They turned the ball over 23 times and looked confused and impatient on offense.

“It’s not a confidence problem, it’s an experience problem,” Coach Rod Baker said. “This is only the third college game for many of them.”

The Anteaters had four freshmen play at least 20 minutes. They also have Robinson, a community college transfer, in the starting lineup.

In Baker’s eyes, there is only one cure.

“Practice,” he said.

But the Anteaters are a long way from that alone making them perfect. In the meantime, Irvine’s experienced players have not stepped up.

Parker had six assists, but also had five turnovers. He had 10 turnovers in the opener against San Diego State. Parker was yanked with eight minutes left Wednesday and did not return.

Foster, a support player last season, scored 11 points, which is far from the offensive output that is expected of him. He had three points in the first half.

“We’re still trying to get him to move from a complementary role to the starring role we need from him,” Baker said.

The offense was left to the newcomers and only Robinson seemed up to it.

Irvine, held scoreless for nearly eight minutes against Washington State, got off to a good start. Robinson scored two minutes into the game and his three-pointer gave the Anteaters a 5-3 lead--their first lead of the season--with 17:44 left in the half. They then committed turnovers on their next three possessions.

Robinson, who finished with 17 points, had 11 of Irvine’s first 17 points before picking up his third foul with 7:47 left in the half. The Anteaters trailed, 21-17, when Robinson left and 35-26 at halftime.

“When I got the third foul, we seemed to fall apart a little bit,” Robinson said.

Eastern Washington controlled the inside in the second half. Center Kevin Lewis, a transfer from Kansas State, scored 19 points. Forward Karim Scott scored 16 and had eight rebounds, including six offensive rebounds. Lewis and Scott each had 10 points in the second half.

The Anteaters had only their new players to speak for them.

Said freshman Brian Johnson: “I think we have to go home and look in the mirror.”