Anteaters Survive Physical Game Against North Texas

This had all the grace of a pickup game, one that had scholarships. There was pushing, shoving and a bit of limping when the end came.

Nothing could have felt better to UC Irvine.

The Anteaters, or what is left of them, will go on to the Big West Conference tournament, after outlasting North Texas, 93-84, Saturday. A crowd of 1,930 in the Bren Center got their money’s worth--at least those who paid.

The players? Well, the Anteaters were just happy to have survived.

Five Irvine players scored in double figures, led by Malachi Edmond with 17. He scored 12 in the last 10 minutes to help keep the Eagles (7-20, 5-11) at arm’s length.

“The coaches and sports writers picked us for last and we’re third in our division,” Coach Pat Douglass said. “These kids had to fight through some adversity.”

And that was just Saturday’s game.

“We’ll have to check Monday and see how many healthy bodies we have,” Douglass said.

At least there will be something to prepare for come Monday. The Anteaters started 1-6 in conference play.

But by going 6-3 in their last nine games, the Anteaters (14-13, 7-9) are going to the little dance, where it may be one song and out. They play New Mexico State Thursday in the first round.

“We always expected to make it,” said forward Marek Ondera, who had 14 points. “Maybe we had some higher expectations, but after going 1-6 we’re happy to be there.”

Just how many Anteaters players will suit up is to be seen after North Texas whittled down the roster.

Greg Ethington, the Anteaters’ starting center, twisted his ankle in the first minute, but played on. Forward Ben Jones wasn’t so lucky; he suffered a sprained left ankle with five minutes left in the half and did not return.

That left the Anteaters with nine healthy players after an ankle sprain epidemic hit in the last three weeks. Ethington and Jones brought the number of ankle injuries to five in that span, including Sean Jackson, who is out for the season.

“We all wear ankle braces,” Ondera said. “I think even Coach Douglass will now.”

The Eagles, who head off to the Sun Belt Conference next season, played with a reckless abandon at times and were plain reckless other times.

North Texas had 26 offensive rebounds. All that meant was the Eagles got to shoot more . . . not a good thing.

They made only 28 of 82 shots, and were six of 29 on three-pointers. Chris Davis scored 29 points, but was nine for 27 from the field. Deginald Erskin scored 28 points, but was nine of 25 from the field. Calvin Williams was two of 11, all on three-pointers.

“It didn’t really look like they had any set plays,” Edmond said.

The Anteaters led, 34-25, but saw the Eagles cut it to 36-34, three minutes into the second half. Irvine weathered it by getting offensive with its chorus line.

Zamiro Bennem, who has worked through personal problems in recent weeks, scored 14 points, making four of five shots.

Center J.R. Christ had 12 points, 10 in the first half.

Ethington had 14 points, all in the second half.

Bennem hit a three-pointer and Ethington sank a 16-foot jumper to give Anteaters a 41-34 lead with 15 minute left.

. Irvine’s lead fluctuated between seven and 12 points the rest of the game.

“It was frustrating out there at times, and maybe some guys didn’t have great games,” Ondera said. “But we stuck with it and everything ended up OK.”