Dec. 30, 2007

Box Score

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --- Senior forward Patrick Sanders scored eight points in overtime and senior center Darren Fells had a career-high 24 points as UC Irvine rallied from an 18-point deficit in the second half to defeat Harvard, 80-77, in overtime Sunday at Lavietes Pavilion in Cambridge, Mass.

Sanders scored all 13 of his points in the final 8 ½ minutes of regulation and overtime as the Anteaters snapped a three-game losing streak in improving to 5-8 overall. The win marked UCI's first non-conference road victory in one year to the day as the last came against UC Davis, 68-48, Dec. 30, 2006.

Fells was 10 of 14 from the field and added seven rebounds and a career-high five steals and four blocked shots before fouling out with 3:56 left in overtime.

Senior guard Marcus McIntosh scored a career-high 13 points, hitting 6 of 10 field goals, and junior guard Brett Lauer added 10 points.

The Anteaters were down 50-32 with 14:11 remaining in regulation after a pair of free throws by Harvard's Evan Harris. UCI closed the gap to 61-56 on a three-point play by Fells with 2:41 left, but the Crimson still led by seven at 65-58 with 51 seconds remaining on two free throws by Drew Housman.

UCI sophomore guard Michael Hunter hit a jumper with 38.5 seconds left to pull UCI within 65-60 before he stole the inbounds pass and converted a layup to close the gap to 65-62 with 34 seconds remaining.

After Housman hit one of two free throws to put Harvard up 66-62 with 27.6 seconds left, Fells was fouled in the act of shooting at the other end and converted both foul shots to draw the Anteaters within 66-64 with 22.6 seconds remaining.

UCI called timeout with 15.8 seconds left in regulation and Lauer nailed a three from beyond the right side of the key with 13.3 ticks remaining to tie the score at 67-all. Sanders blocked Harris' attempt just before the final horn to send the game into overtime.

Jeremy Lin, who had a team-high 20 points, scored Harvard's first eight points in the extra session to help the Crimson to a 75-71 lead with 2:49 left.

Sanders then hit a jumper and Lauer canned another trey to give UCI a 76-75 lead with 1:46 remaining.

Harris hit two free throws to put Harvard back on top at 77-76 with 1:20 left, but UCI junior forward Kevin Bland scored underneath on an assist from freshman guard Patrick Rembert with 1:11 left and Sanders hit a basket with 21.2 seconds left to give UCI an 80-77 lead. Harvard was off-target on three shots in the closing seconds as the Anteaters claimed the improbable victory.

Rembert played a season-high 11 minutes and had two assists with no turnovers while sparkling on defense.

Harris added 15 points for Harvard (4-11) while Pat Magnarelli had 17 points and 12 boards.

The Anteaters shot 50.7 percent from the field in the game, hitting 6 of 7 from the floor in overtime. UCI recorded 11 steals in the contest.

Harvard, which out-rebounded UCI 45-24, shot 46.6 percent from the field. The Crimson committed 26 turnovers, 18 in the second half.

"Patrick Sanders' ability to score in the second half was big for us and we were able to force some turnovers," UCI head coach Pat Douglass said.

"Brett Lauer hit key three-point shots at the end of regulation and in overtime, and I thought Patrick Rembert came off the bench and gave us a defensive lift that we were missing.

"Harvard played really well and outplayed us for 30 minutes but our ability to force turnovers late in the game was a factor in the win," Douglass added.

UCI opens its Big West Conference schedule Friday night at 7:05 against Cal State Fullerton at Titan Gym.