Collin Welp pours in season-high 29 points to lead Anteaters past UC San Diego 80-55

Collin Welp brings the ball up for UCI in Friday’s game. (Photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications)

Junior forward Collin Welp scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team to an 80-55 non-conference victory over UC San Diego Friday at the Bren Events Center.

Welp made 14-of-17 field goals in 23 minutes and also added four steals.

Brad Greene scored 12 points while Austin Johnson added 10 points for the Anteaters (13-8 overall).

UCI made 59.7 percent (37-62) of its field goals and held the Tritons to just 33.3 percent shooting overall.

Hugh Baxter led San Diego (5-9) with 11 points

“I was impressed with how we played tonight, we played really well,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner. “I was impressed with our big men, Collin, Brad, AJ (Johnson), Emmanuel (Tshimanga), Hunter (Ruck) and Dean (Keeler). That’s the way I expected our big guys to play and I thought we showed a lot of improvement.

“I also thought JC (Butler) was impressive with his post passing and getting the ball to our big men. We showed some learning and growth in this game. We have a big challenge tomorrow to come back and do it again.”

“I was just trying to play my game tonight,” Welp added. “I am trying to focus on my defensive play and concentrating on that and that also helps my offense and helps me have a solid game.”

Welp became 25^th Anteater to reach 500 career rebounds. Welp reached 1,000 career points last weekend.

NEXT UP:

The same two teams play Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Bren Center.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications