November 5, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Freshman DJ Davis scores 23 points to help Anteaters defeat UC San Diego 79-65

Freshman DJ Davis scored a  career-high 23 points to lead UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team to a 79-65 non-conference victory over UC San Diego Saturday afternoon at RIMAC Arena in La Jolla.

It was the fourth straight win for UCI (6-4 overall). The Anteaters made a season high nine three-pointers and connected on 9 of 21 from three-point range.

UCI made 49.1 percent (26 of 53) of its field goal attempts.

Dawson Baker scored 14 points, making 6 of 10 field goal attempts and Collin Welp had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.

San Diego (2-1) was led by Bryce Pope who scored 21 points and Toni Rocak, who had 20.

“I am pleased to win this game,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner. “We looked like a team that has been off for a while but I was pleased with our second half. I was disappointed early with how we played and did not use our size advantage against UC San Diego to get the ball inside. The second half looked entirely different and DJ Davis obviously had a great game.

“Jeron Artest also made the shots that we expect him to make so that was good to see. On the road any win with a young team is a good win, so we will take it and hopefully get some more games in next week.”

NEXT UP:

UCI hosts Cal Poly on Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan 23 at the Bren Center.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications