In a decisive match on Saturday, Bent Leuchten spearheaded the University of California, Irvine’s victory over the University of California, San Diego, with an impressive performance, scoring 23 points. This win marked a significant achievement for the Anteaters, bringing their overall record to 15 wins and 2 losses, and an undefeated 5-0 in the Big West Conference. Leuchten was not only a scoring leader for his team but also made a substantial impact on the boards, securing 13 rebounds. Myles Che contributed significantly as well with 15 points, managing to shoot 5 of 12 overall from the field and demonstrating his perimeter shooting skills by making 3 of 7 from three-point range. Justin Hohn also played a key role, finishing with 11 points while making 4 of 12 shots, including 3 successful three-point attempts.

On the other side of the court, the Tritons were led by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, who tallied 17 points in their attempt to secure a victory. Chris Howell complemented the Tritons’ effort with a well-rounded performance, contributing 11 points, along with seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Nordin Kapic played a solid supporting role, adding seven points and nine rebounds. Unfortunately for UCSD, this game marked the end of their impressive 12-game winning streak, dropping their season record to 14 wins against 3 losses, with a 4-1 standing in the conference.

Both teams showcased strong performances, but it was UC Irvine’s collective efforts that ultimately secured them the win, reinforcing their status as a formidable competitor in the Big West Conference.