UCI men’s basketball team tops UCSB 66-62 in overtime and stays atop Big West standings

Collin Welp had 12 points for UCI Thursday night vs. UC Santa Barbara.

Max Hazzard scored eight points in overtime helped UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team defeat UC Santa Barbara 66-62 in a Big West Conference game at the Thunderdome Thursday night.

UCI remains in first place in the Big West Standings with a 6-1 record and improved its overall record to 18-5.

UC Santa Barbara is 4-2 and 15-5.

Hazzard made back-to-back three’s in the first two minutes of OT to give UCI a 62-56 lead, one that UCI would not relinquish. Hazzard sealed the extra-time win with two-made free throws at the end of the frame.

Hazzard had a game high 15 points making 5 of 13 field goals.

Collin Welp scored 12 points and Tommy Rutherford had 11 points. Rutherford also had nine rebounds and Evan Leonard and Eyassu Worku had three assists each.

Jonathan Galloway had eight rebounds, including six on offense.

UCI plays Long Beach State Saturday night at 7 at The Pyramid.