Irvine, CA (Sports Network) - Michael Wilder connected on a 3-pointer with 10
seconds to play to give the UC Irvine Anteaters a thrilling 62-60 win over the
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in Big West Conference action at the Bren Events
Center.
Wilder finished with seven points, shooting just 1-of-5 beyond the arc in the
outing for the Anteaters (12-11, 6-4 Big West) as the team won for the second
time in as many games. Alex Young was responsible for 12 points and Chris
McNealy 10 off the bench for the hosts.
The Gauchos (7-14, 3-7), losers of four in a row, were paced by Alan Williams
who produced 22 points and eight rebounds before fouling out, while Kyle
Boswell tacked on 15 points off the bench and Michael Bryson 12.
UCI shot an impressive 51.6 percent from the floor in the first half and even
though the squad missed seven of nine chances behind the 3-point line, the
Anteaters moved out to a 40-23 lead at the break.
In the second half it was UCSB that had the hot hand with 51.9 percent
accuracy. Thanks to a jumper by Taran Brown with 21 seconds remaining, the
Gauchos completed a late 9-0 run to take a 60-59 lead. However, Wilder was
more than ready to finally break through from 3-point range shortly
thereafter, giving Irvine the thrilling win.
GAME NOTES:
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