This Week's University of California, Irvine Sports Notes

Men’s Basketball

The UC Irvine men’s basketball team was handed its worst loss in 12 years by Idaho, who prevailed with the 101-47 victory on Friday night at Cowan Spectrum in Moscow, ID.

The Anteaters have played their best basketball against their best opponents, and their worst against the worst.

UCI’s record fell to 0-4 as Idaho improved to 4-4. Terrence Simmons paced Idaho with 18 points. Idaho shot an incredible 74.2 percent from the field in the second half and 62.9 percent for the game. While Idaho was on its hottest night, UCI was probably in its coldest as it shot an abysmal 26.3 percent for the game.

The Vandals broke out to an early 15-0 lead to open the game and never looked back. Senior Kevin Bland got UCI on the board with a basket with 14:36 left in the half.

Idaho would race for a huge 42-16 lead at halftime by closing out with a 17-5 run. The Vandals would continue their torrid shooting and finish with a 12-2 run to cap the 54-point victory.

Senior Brett Lauer was the lone Anteater in double figures with 12 points on four for five shooting, including three for three from three-point range.

Idaho out-rebounded UCI 50-26 for the game.


Women’s Volleyball

In his final season at UC Irvine, Head Coach Charlie Brande received the Big West Conference Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Lady Anteaters to a 12-4 Big West record (17-12) overall. It was the first time any UCI women’s volleyball coach recieved that honor. The Anteaters led the Big West in kills, digs, and assists. They also won 10 of their last 12 games to finish second in the conference.

Senior Lauren Kellerman and sophomore Kari Pestolesi were named to the Big West First Team. It was Kellerman’s third consecutive honor and Pestolesi’s second. Kellerman recorded 393 kills on the year, and Pestolesi finished with 20 double doubles (kills/digs).

Senior Devon Sutherland earned her second Big West Honorable Mention. Sutherland finishes her career as the UCI leader in digs with 1,756.

Freshman Alex Hauser was voted to the All Big West Freshman Team. She was third on the team with 62 blocks on the season.