'Eaters Turn Back Cal State Northridge, 79-74, on Homecoming Night
Feb. 27, 2010
IRVINE, Calif. --- Senior guard Michael Hunter scored 22 points and sophomore forward Eric Wise added 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead UC Irvine past Cal State Northridge, 79-74, at the Bren Center Saturday night in the Homecoming Game.
With the victory, UCI is in a three-way tie with Northridge and UC Riverside for seventh place in the Big West Conference with 5-9 league marks. The top eight teams advance to the Big West Tournament Mar. 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Junior guard Darren Moore added 17 points for the Anteaters, who improved to 13-16 overall in winning their final home game of the season and finishing with a 10-5 mark in the Bren Center.
Wise fouled out with 1:42 remaining, preceded by senior center Zack Atkinson with 6:52 left. Atkinson had six points, three rebounds and one blocked shot in his final home appearance. Junior guard Patrick Rembert had five points and a game-high six assists.
Hunter, playing in his final game at the Bren Center, scored 15 of his points in the second half as UCI rallied from a 64-56 deficit with 9:32 left.
With the game tied at 74-74, Hunter hit one of two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to give the Anteaters a one-point lead. UCI's Adam Folker made a steal at the other end and called timeout before he could get tied up with 10.6 seconds left.
Hunter was fouled on the inbounds pass following the timeout and hit both free throws with nine seconds remaining for a three-point lead.
The Matadors' Mark Hill missed a three-point attempt and Moore was fouled after collecting the rebound and hit two foul shots with one second left for the 79-74 win.
Kenny Daniels led Northridge (10-19, 5-9) with 20 points, Willie Galick scored 18 and Lenny Daniel had 16 points and nine rebounds.
Hunter, with his 22 points Saturday, has 1,263 in his career to rank 10th all-time at UCI. He ranks second in career threes (226), third in steals (158) and eighth in assists (291).
Wise recorded his third double-double of the season and fifth of his career.
"The guys stepped up after Zack and Eric fouled out," said UCI head coach Pat Douglass. "I was pleased with our defensive effort down the stretch.
"Eric kept us in the game early and Michael and Darren made some key shots and free throws in the second half. Adam Folker's defensive play at the end was obviously big. It was a great win."
UCI ends regular-season play traveling to UC Santa Barbara Wednesday and Cal Poly next Saturday in 7:00 p.m. Big West games.
