Anteaters, 49ers close out the Big West slate

Steve Virgen

According to the standings in the Big West Conference, tonight’s

men’s basketball game between UC Irvine and Long Beach State does not

seem to be too important.

The Anteaters could win a share of the Big West regular-season

title, if they win and UC Santa Barbara loses at UC Riverside. But

the Gauchos are hot and Riverside cannot qualify for the Big West

Tournament until next season.

UCI has already locked up the No. 2 seed for the Big West

Tournament, which starts Thursday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Meanwhile, Long Beach State did not qualify for the tourney with its

4-13 record in Big West action.

However, ask seniors Jordan Harris and Mike Hood if this game is

important and they’ll be sure to tell you that it is. Harris, a

6-foot-5 forward, and Hood, a 6-4 guard, will play in their final

home game, when UCI (18-8, 12-5 in the Big West) faces Long Beach

State at 7:05 p.m. at the Bren Events Center.

Hood and Harris will be honored immediately after tonight’s game.

Harris, who leads the Anteaters in scoring at 12.4 points per

game, has 719 points and 334 rebounds in his two-year career. He

transferred from Colgate University, sat out a year and then, along

with Hood, helped lead UCI to a share of the Big West regular-season

title, 20 wins and an NIT berth last season.

Hood, who is averaging 9.8 points, has 518 points and has made 104

three-pointers in two seasons with the Anteaters. Hood, a transfer

from College of Southern Idaho, sat out his first year with UCI due

to tendinitis in the knee. He dislocated his finger Feb. 20, when UCI

defeated Cal State Northridge, but he has not missed any games.

UCI Coach Pat Douglass said Hood has been receiving medication for

the finger joint, and that the Anteaters’ one-week rest has also been

beneficial for the senior guard.

Douglass also said the seniors were responsible for UCI’s recent

seven-game winning streak, which came after the ‘Eaters had lost

three in a row, including two straight home games. The UCI coach is

looking to his seniors again to lead the Anteaters back to the

victory column.

UCI had its seven-game winning streak snapped last week, when UCSB

played one of its best games of the season that led to a 67-51

victory. However, the Anteaters, with one game remaining, still have

the opportunity to reach Douglass’ goal. He wants his team to play at

its best at the end of the season so to have a better chance to win

the Big West Tournament title, which would provide UCI with its first

NCAA Tournament berth in the school’s history.

The Anteaters have won or shared the Big West regular-season title

the past two seasons, but settled for NIT appearances after losing in

the conference tournament both years.

“We really want to get ready for (tonight) and we want to be ready

for the tournament the following week,” Douglass said.

UCI defeated the 49ers, 69-52, to open the Big West season, Jan.

4.

Long Beach State, which lost its first 11 games when facing NCAA

Division I opponents, will most likely be attempting to end its

season on a high note. The 49ers, who are on a three-game losing

streak, have a 68-67 victory over Santa Barbara (Feb. 1), but another

win over one of the top teams in the Big West would assuredly bring

momentum for next season.

Tony Darden, a senior guard, leads Long Beach with 15.5 points per

game.