SOUTHLAND

UC Irvine 71, Idaho 67--The Anteaters (8-6, 1-2 in the Big West) led by 16 points with eight minutes left, then held on against the Vandals (7-8, 1-2) at Irvine.

Idaho used a 20-6 run to pull within 65-63, but Lance Buoncristiani, with a chance to tie the score, lost the ball driving the baseline. Irvine’s Malachi Edmond was fouled and made two free throws.

“We’re taking steps,” said Irvine’s Sean Jackson, who scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. “But this was something new for us. We have to make the adjustment as a team. When we get a team down by 15 points, then we need to win by 20-25. That’s the next step for us.”

Jerry Green led Irvine with 22 points, but missed five of his last six shots to allow Idaho to get back in the game.