by By Sarah Zetlmeisl, UCI communications
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Redshirt junior Collin Welp finished with a season-high 27 points as UC Irvine won a 73-67 decision against UC Riverside in Big West action Saturday night.
With the win, UCI improves to 11-7 on the season and 7-3 in the Big West. The Anteaters split the series with UCR. The Highlanders fall to 10-4 overall and drop to 5-3 in conference action.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
> Welp’s 27 points are the most by an Anteater this season. He finished 10-17 shooting from the floor, made 2-of-6 from beyond the arc and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Welp also grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds and had a steal
> Brad Greene (Shoshone/Paiute) finished in double-digits with 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals
> Isaiah Lee dished out a team-best four assists
> UCI shot 41.9 percent (13-31) from the field and 33.3 percent (3-9) from long range. UCR was 23-58 (.397) shooting overall and made 12-of-33 shots from three-point range
> UCI dominated the boards, 45-30, and held a 30-16 advantage in paint points
> UCR’s Arinze Chidom led the hosts with 17 points
FIRST HALF
> UCR jumped out to a 12-7 lead (14:29) before Welp hit a three to start a 7-2 UCI, knotting the game, 14-14 at 12:01
> The teams exchanged back-and-forth points as UCR would go up by four, 20-16 (9:36). UCI went on a 7-1 run which was capped by a Welp jumper to give the ‘Eaters their first lead, 23-21, at 7:48
> Two made free throws from UCR’s Dominick Pickett gave the Highlanders a 35-31 edge before UCI closed the gap again with a jumper followed by a layup from Welp to make it, 35-35
> UCR used a 4-0 run to go into the half with a 39-35 lead
SECOND HALF
> UCR opened the half on a 5-0 run before a Welp jump shot followed by a three-pointer from Lee started an 11-0 run for the ‘Eaters that gave them a 46-44 advantage at 15:56
> UCR’s George Wilborn III hit a three at 10:03 to give UCR a 56-52 lead. UCI responded with a 10-0 to go up by five, 61-56 (6:02)
> A three from Chidom with 2:32 remaining brought the Highlanders within two, 66-64
> Jump shots from Welp and Greene followed by made free throws from Welp and Lee sealed the game down the stretch as UCI would win the second of the two game series against the Highlanders
