Dawson Baker scores career-high 23 points to lead Anteaters past Titans 89-78

Dawson Baker brings the ball up for UCI in Friday’s game against Cal State Fullerton. (Photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications)

Dawson Baker poured in a career-high 23 points to lead UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team to an 89-78 Big West Conference victory over Cal State Fullerton Friday evening at Titan gym.

UCI, 8-3 in the Big West and 12-7 overall, registered its sixth straight victory over Fullerton and its fourth in a row at Titan Gym.

Baker (Capistrano Valley High) made 6-of-14 of his field goals and sank 10 of 12 free throws. He also had four assists.

J.C. Butler added 14 points, four rebounds and two assists and Collin Welp had 13 points and 11 rebounds. He also had a career-high four steals and a block.

DJ Davis had 11 points and three assists for the Anteaters, who made 45.6 percent (31-of-68) of its field goals while holding Fullerton to 37.7 percent (26-of-69).

UCI also outrebounded Fullerton 51-35.

Johnny Wang led CSF (5-7, 4-7) with 18 points, making 4-of-9 from long range.

“I’m really proud of how we stayed in the game and were able to win it when things seemed to turn against us as strongly as they did,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner. “It is hard to win on the road and with a young team. We found a way to win and I am pleased with that. It was great to see Dawson Baker as assertive as he was and it was great to see JC Butler  make as many plays as he did on the rim and on defense.”

NEXT UP

The two teams play again Saturday at 5 p.m. at Titan Gym.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications