Irvine Reels In Fullerton
It used to be so boring at UC Irvine, a school with exactly two winning seasons in the last 13 years of men’s basketball.
But times have changed.
UC Irvine began its come-from-behind antics last season and continued the trend Thursday night with a 68-58 victory over Cal State Fullerton in a Big West Conference game before 2,088 at the Bren Events Center.
Irvine struggled throughout with Fullerton’s full-court press and fell behind, 52-45, with 8:37 left.
But the Anteaters (9-4, 2-0 in Big West play) outscored Fullerton, 23-6, the rest of the way.
Irvine shooting guard Mike Hood was scoreless until he made two big shots in the final three minutes, sinking a 15-footer with 2:50 left and following it up with a three-pointer to give Irvine a 58-54 edge with 1:49 left.
“If I got a look, I was going to take a shot,” Hood said. “I got my look and it went in. It felt good.”
Fullerton (3-9, 0-3) couldn’t be feeling any worse.
The Titans lost their first two Big West games by a total of three points and appeared to be in control.
Fullerton was outrebounded, 42-29, and made only 12 of 23 free throws (52.2%).
“They killed us on the boards. That hurts you,” Fullerton Coach Donny Daniels said. “Can’t make a foul shot. That hurts you. Can’t stop them on defense. That hurts you. It all adds up to a 10-point loss.”
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