Reality Sets In for Irvine When Shots Don’t Go In

There was an actual glimmer of hope for winless UC Irvine before Pacific snuffed it out late in a 63-52 victory in the Big West Conference opener for both teams Thursday night at the Bren Center.

The Anteaters, 0-10 for the season, had outrebounded and outhustled the Tigers (10-1) to be tied, 49-49, with eight minutes then reverted to form by not making a field goal the rest of the game.

Guard Corey Anders had 20 points and 7-foot center Michael Olowokandi had 17 for Pacific, which is favored to win the Big West. Guard Lamarr Parker had 18 points for Irvine.