University of California, Riverside
UC Irvine
Highlanders Stumble at UC Irvine, 63-37
2/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UC Riverside lost its third straight game, falling 63-37 at UC Irvine Wednesday night at the Bren Events Center. The Highlanders drop to 3-19, 3-8 in the Big West while the Anteaters improve to 14-11, 10-3.
UC Irvine used a 29-4 first-half run to blow the game open. Back-to-back three-pointers by UCR's Christian Soto gave the visitors their first lead, 8-6, with 16:04 left in the first. UCI then went on its run to take a 35-12 halftime lead as UCR failed to score over the final 8:10 of the half. It was the lowest output in any half this year for the Highlanders. Riverside shot 5-of-27 (18.7%) from the floor over the first 20 minutes while UC Irvine shot 50.0% (13-of-26).
A jumper in the lane by David Misko broke UCR's scoring drought at 18:31 of the second half. The Highlanders would get within 17, 43-26, but no closer the rest of the way.
Steve Williams led UCR with 10 points, all in the second half. UCR leading scorer Rickey Porter was held scoreless, missing all eight of his attempts. Porter did supply five assists. Larry Cunningham had a game-high nine rebounds but also was 0-for-8 from the field.
The Highlanders shot 26.4% (14-for-53) overall. They struggled from the line, sinking just six of 15 free throws (40.0%). UCI shot 41.8% (23-for-55) for the game and held a 47-37 rebounding advantage.
Darren Fells led all scorers with 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Ross Schraeder added 10 points for the Anteaters.
