SOUTHLAND ROUNDUP

Nevada 69, UC Irvine 67--The Anteaters lost their eighth consecutive game, five of which have been by five points or less. It left the Anteaters a little numb and cemented their feet at the Bottom of the Big West’s Western Division.

UC Irvine (5-14, 1-8) had chances to tie the score twice in the final minute before 1,202 at the Bren Center. Forward Marek Ondera badly missed a scoop shot with 43 seconds left. Moments later, guard Jerry Green’s second free throw rattled on the rim and came off. It left Nevada (6-13, 2-7) with a 65-64 lead.

Green, who scored 17 points, led a late charge. He scored consecutive layups to pull Irvine to within 65-63.

On the Anteaters’ next possession, Ondera tried to scoop a shot under 6-foot-9 center Joao Santos, but the ball barely reached Santos’ eye level. After an airball by Nevada’s Tony Zapata, Green was fouled. His second free throw bounced on the rim three times, then came off.