Irvine Stays Perfect in Big West

The Big West is settling into its conference race, and UC Irvine has the early leg up.

The Anteaters won their fourth straight game Sunday, defeating visiting Pacific, 70-61, to remain the only undefeated team in conference play.

However, Coach Pat Douglass isn’t ready to declare the race over, not with 10 games left. But he doesn’t mind everyone else chasing his team.

“It’s going to be a tough league race,” Douglass said. “We’re excited we’ve won our first four, because you want to get off to a good start. But we’re definitely not in the clouds.”

Aaron Fitzgerald, despite making only four of 10 shots, had 16 points and seven assists for Irvine (8-8, 4-0).

But the key Anteater was freshman forward Patrick Sanders, who had 12 of his career-best 15 points in the first half to keep Irvine close despite missing 15 of its first 17 shots.

“I got off to a slow start too, but my teammates kept looking for me,” Sanders said. “And I was able to produce.”

Guard Johnny Gray had 20 points for the Tigers, who fell to 11-6 and 2-2.