SOUTHLAND MEN

Everyone inside the Bren Center knew that the ball was going to UC Irvine guard Jerry Green with 16 seconds left and the Anteaters clinging to a three-point lead over Boise State.

Also to no one’s surprise, Green delivered, making a six-foot runner between two defenders as the shot clock ran down to give Irvine the breathing room it needed to hold off Boise State, 76-71, in front of 2,492.

It was the eighth consecutive victory for the streaking Anteaters (12-2, 4-0 in the Big West).

Boise State (10-8, 2-3) often had two or three defenders on Green when he had the ball, but he still managed to score 25 points. Green had averaged 27 points in his previous five games.