Coach Russell Turner led the Anteaters to the regular season title. (Photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications)
UC Irvine men’s basketball team clinched the Big West Conference regular-season title outright defeating UC Riverside 68-47 Saturday night in Riverside.
UCI improved its overall mark to 25-5.
The 25 wins are the most regular-season wins in program history. The Anteaters (13-1 in the Big West) clinched the the Big West regular-season title for the fourth time in six seasons.
“It’s a special feeling when as a team you can create an excitement and a following and that’s the best part of coaching basketball,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner.
“These players have made that happen and the crowd and support was great tonight. It was important we stay focused during the game tonight and I thought we did that. I thought our defense and rebounding really carried us tonight.”
UCI’s Jonathan Galloway became the school’s all-time career rebounds leader after he grabbed 11 rebounds. He now has 927 in his career.. Galloway broke a 44-year old school record previously held by Dave Baker (926).
Galloway’s school-record setting rebound came on the defensive end with 2:31 left to play. The Anteaters called a timeout as the forward received a standing ovation from the crowd as he subbed out.
“It feels really special,” Galloway said. “I’ve put a lot of hard work and dedication into this program and it was a special moment. I didn’t expect coach to call a timeout and my teammates and all the fans going crazy made it an unforgettable moment for me.”
Evan Leonard finished with a game-high 14 points on 4-8 shooting from the floor while Collin Welp had 13 points and Robert Cartwright 10 points for the Anteaters.
UCI plays at Cal Poly Thursday and then hosts Cal State Northridge Saturday night at 7:30 at the Bren Events Center.
The Anteaters then compete in the Big West Conference Tournament at the Honda Center beginning March 14. UCI will be the top seed in the tournament, which determines the conference’s representative to the NCAA Tournament.
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