Anteaters finally return to Big West play and capture 68-49 home victory over Cal Poly

Collin Welp heads to the basket during Friday’s game with Cal Poly. (Photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications)

UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team, after a 24-day break from Big West Conference play, returned to action and captured a 68-49 victory over Cal Poly Friday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.

It was the fifth win in a row for the league-leading Anteaters (7-4 overall, 3-0 in the Big West). UCI is 6-0 at home.

Collin Welp led UCI with 15 points. He had three assists and three steals. Welp also had three assists and grabbed three steals

JC Butler tied a career and season high with 14 points while Brad Greene had 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

UCI made 40.7 percent (22-of-54) of its field goals and held Cal Poly (2-9, 0-5) to just UCI also outrebounded Cal Poly 41-27.

“I thought that every one of the guys that we had available tonight came in tonight and impacted the game in a positive way,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner. “I thought that we were well-prepared and played with purpose on both ends. I thought we were dominant defensively.”

NEXT UP

UCI hosts Cal Poly Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Bren Center in another Big West game.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications