UCI dominates from the start and captures 85-53 victory over University of San Diego

Isaiah Lee of UC Irvine brings the ball up during Saturday’s victory. (Photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications)

UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team led from the start and captured an 85-53 non-conference victory over University of San Diego Saturday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.

UCI wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a 3-4 overall record. USD fell to 1-3.

The Anteaters led the entire first half and led by as many as 36 points in the second half.

UCI (3-4) was led by Collin Welp, who had 16 points and connected on 7 of 12 field goal attempts. Isaiah Lee had a career-high 11 points and Dawson Baker had 10 points.

Joey Calcaterra led USD (1-3) with 14 points and four rebounds. UCI outrebounded San Diego 44-21 and made 51.6 percent of its field goal attempts.

San Diego made 16 of 47 (34 percent of its field goals.

“This was the kind of game I want to be able to expect from my team,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner. “I thought we were good offensively early on tonight and defensively we looked like a UC Irvine team, committed and played with a lot of intensity and effort. I am pleased with the win and really proud of our guys.”

NEXT UP: UCI opens Big West Conference play Sunday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Dec. 28 at the Bren Center against UC Santa Barbara. According to Big West rules, no fans will be allowed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications