Welp scores 27 points to lead Anteaters past UC Riverside 73-67 in Big West game

Collin Welp led UCI to a Big West victory over UC Riverside Saturday night. (File photo courtesy UCI Athletic Communications)

Junior Collin Welp poured in a season-high 27 points to lead UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team to a 73-67 Big West Conference victory over UC Riverside in a nationally televised game Saturday night that was televised on ESPN-U.

With the victory UCI (11-7 overall, 7-3 in the Big West) earned a split of the weekend series.

UC Riverside (10-4, 5-3) was led by Arinze Chidom, who scored 17 points. l

Welp made 10 of 17 field goal attempts and 2 of 6 three-pointers while grabbing a team-high 13 points.

Brad Greene scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals for the Anteaters.

UCI outrebounded UC Riverside 45-30.

“We are pleased to be able to win a tough game like that on the road and also with the way we won that game,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner. “I am not surprised at all about the character this team showed. The response we had tonight after last night’s game was really good and the passion was there. We showed a lot of improvement and growth. Collin Welp was dominant tonight.”

UP NEXT

The Anteaters continue their road stretch with two Big West games at Cal State Fullerton Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 with tip-off at 5 p.m. for both games.

Source: UCI Athletic Communications