Green Scores 29 in Finale at Irvine

Jerry Green made his final home game a memorable one as UC Irvine squeaked by UC Santa Barbara, 71-67, before 4,664 Saturday at Bren Events Center.

The Anteaters’ all-time leading scorer tallied 29 points, giving him 1,916 in a four-year career that includes 112 consecutive starts. Already the school’s leader in steals (159), free throws made (514) and field-goals attempted (1,371), Green’s eight field goals Saturday moved him into the top spot in that category with 645.

Green also moved into seventh place on the Big West Conference’s all-time scoring list. Moreover, his performance helped Irvine (20-8, 13-4) reach the 20-victory mark for only the fourth time in the school’s 37-year history. Last season’s conference player of the year led the Anteaters to a 25-5 record in 2000-01, the best in school history.

With the win, Irvine solidifies its hold on second place in the Big West standings, one-half game behind Utah State heading into Thursday’s season finale at Long Beach State. The Anteaters led by nine points with four minutes to play, but the Gauchos responded with a 13-3 run to claim the lead with 45 seconds remaining.

Green’s leaning 10-footer gave Irvine back the lead. Santa Barbara’s Mark Hull missed a three-point attempt and Green grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Green made both free throws with 16 seconds to play to give Irvine a 70-67 advantage. The Gauchos (15-10, 9-7) had a chance to tie the score, but J.R. Christ drew a charging foul to give the ball back to the Anteaters.

Reserve Mike Hood scored 13 points and Jordan Harris added eight points and five rebounds for Irvine.

Branduinn Fullove scored a team-high 19 points and Adama Ndiaye finished with 11 points for Santa Barbara, which kept the score close by making all 18 of their free throws.Tim Dermody

Long Beach State 83, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 80--Chris Jenkins’ three-point basket with 47 seconds remaining in overtime at Long Beach proved decisive for the 49ers (12-16, 8-9). Kevin Roberts’ driving layup with 15 seconds left accounted for the final points.

Travis Reed scored 25 points and senior guard Ron Johnson tied a career-high with 23 points to lead Long Beach State to its fourth consecutive victory.

The 49ers trailed by seven points with 1:30 left but managed to tie the score at 75-75 on Johnson’s three-point basket with 25.7 seconds left.

Johnson missed a three-point shot with one second left in regulation.

Steve Geary’s three-point attempt at the overtime buzzer bounced off the rim as Cal Poly SLO (14-10, 8-8) lost its third in a row. Geary had five three-point baskets and 18 points.

Cal State Northridge 73, Cal State Fullerton 59--Jermar Welch scored 17 points for the Matadors (10-15, 9-7) at Fullerton. Northridge has won two in a row after losing five in a row.

The Matadors’ Markus Carr, the conference’s third-leading scorer (16.5 points) and leader in assists (5.2) and steals (2.8), had only eight points and three assists in 37 minutes. Carr had a wart removed from his right foot on Feb. 12.

Ryan Dillon scored a season-high 19 points for Fullerton (4-21, 1-15). The Titans, who have lost nine consecutive games and 16 of their last 17, failed to score for 9:43 after tying the score at 43-43.

Pacific 87, Riverside 75--Forward Mike Hahn made 10 of 11 shots and had 25 points for the Tigers (17-9, 9-7) at Riverside.

Pacific made nine of its first 10 shots and took a 30-16 lead. The Tigers shot 68.2% in the first half.

John Galbreath scored 16 points for Riverside (8-16, 5-11).