Narrow Loss Feels Better for Anteaters

It was an improvement for UC Irvine . . . and it was another loss.

There was a lot for the Anteaters to feel good about, but the final score wasn’t on that list. They saw New Mexico State do what it does best, and do well what it normally does poorly, in a 66-59 Big West Conference victory in front of 7,120 fans in the Pan American Center.

The Aggies played good defense, forcing many of Irvine’s 21 turnovers. The Aggies also made 23 of 28 free throws, a nice surprise for Coach Lou Henson, whose team shoots 63% from the foul line.

Eric Channing, who scored 19 points, made four free throws in the final minute and the Aggies made their last 10 from the foul line.

All that remained was some feel-good talk from the Anteaters.

“They had to fight for this one, just like we had to fight,” said Jerry Green, who scored 19 points. “We played the whole 40 minutes. This is something for us to build on.”

If the Anteaters (8-9, 1-5) had taken care of business at home in the last week, the job might be a little easier. Instead, they were coming off two dismal performances, a 12-point loss to Cal State Fullerton and a one-point loss to Boise State, a game in which Irvine blew a 17-point lead.

“I don’t believe in acceptable losses,” said guard Malachi Edmond, who scored 19 points. “Right now, we just have to forget about our record and compete. We will win games if we keep playing like this.”

Besides, in the Big West Caucus, everyone can put a positive spin on the results.

“We have not played well since conference began,” Coach Pat Douglass said. “I’m encouraged that we’re going to win some games down the road.”

Whether that is rose-colored optimism is to be seen. But he had to be pleased with his team’s effort, with Edmond topping the list.

He was six for six from the field, including four three-pointers, and made all three of his free throws. He also had five rebounds.

“People will probably wonder why I haven’t been starting him,” Douglass said.

Of course, the Anteaters shot 65% in the first half and still trailed, 35-32--a product of 12 turnovers.

The Aggies, to be sure, had something to do with that. They had eight steals in the game, four by guard Zack Norvell.

“We shot 33% in the second half, so I don’t know how we won,” Henson said. “The way they were shooting, the only way we were going to win was to force turnovers and we did.”

The unforced ones certainly helped them as well.

Irvine trailed, 58-52, with 5 minutes 43 seconds left. Marek Ondera and Greg Ethington turned the ball over on consecutive possessions.

With less than two minutes left, Irvine was trailing, 60-55, when Ondera’s cross-court pass to Ethington sailed high and out of bounds.

“No one is going to ever accuse us of being the No. 1 offensive team in the nation,” Henson said. “Our defense won it.”

There was just enough offense.

Channing had 12 points in the first half, helping the Aggies overcome a 12-2 Anteater lead.