UC Davis shoots down UCI

DAVIS — UC Davis starters made 11 of 19 three-point field-goal attempts, the Aggies shot 57.1% from beyond the arc as a team and 51.2% overall to earn a 74-57 Big West Conference home win over UC Irvine Thursday night.

The loss, UCI’s ninth in 10 games played off campus this season, dropped the Anteaters (7-10, 2-2 in conference) into a three-way tie for fourth in the Big West.

UC Davis (8-8, 2-2) joins UCSB in the fourth-place tie, behind Cal State Northridge (5-0 in conference), Pacific (3-1) and Cal State Fullerton (3-2). Pacific defeated Cal State Fullerton, 89-82, at home Thursday.

Senior Patrick Sanders had 18 points to lead the Anteaters, who won the turnover battle, 17-6, but lost the rebounding war, 36-23.

UCI, which visits Pacific Saturday at 7 p.m., also shot 36.2% from the field and 15% from beyond the arc (three of 20).

Junior guard Brett Lauer was just one of 10 from three-point range for UCI, while senior center Darren Fells scored just four points.

Michael Hunter had 10 points, while Kevin Bland had six points and a team-high seven rebounds.

David Carter had 19 points and Vince Oliver had 18 for the winners, who were 12 of 21 from three-point range.

— From staff reports

Big West Conference

UC Davis 74, UC Irvine 57

UCI – Sanders 18, Bland 6, Fells 4, Hunter 10, Lauer 5, McIntosh 8, DeCasas 4, Rembert 2.

3-pt. goals – Hunter 2, Lauer 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.

UCD – Carter 19, Brucculeri 13, Hanson 8, Oliver 18, Payne 11, Calegari 3, Lopez Low 2.

3-pt. goals – Brucculeri 3, Oliver 3, Carter 2, Hanson 2, Payne 1, Calegari 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.

Halftime – UCD, 34-23.