In a thrilling semifinals clash of the Big West Conference Tournament, UC Irvine emerged victorious over Cal Poly with a score of 96-78 on Friday in Henderson, Nevada. Bent Leuchten was pivotal in the Anteaters’ triumph, delivering 21 points and contributing 10 rebounds to the team’s success. Looking ahead, UC Irvine, seated firmly as the tournament’s second seed, prepares to contend against the top-seeded UC San Diego in the championship game set for Saturday.
Alongside Leuchten’s impressive performance, Devin Tillis played a significant role in the victory by scoring 17 points. He demonstrated efficiency on the court, hitting 7 of his 10 attempts, and further chipped in with eight rebounds and six assists. Justin Hohn added to the offensive power with 15 points, shooting 5 of 9 overall, including 2 of 6 from beyond the arc, and made all three of his free-throw attempts.
On the opposing side, Cal Poly’s Mac Riniker led his team with 22 points and notably collected six rebounds. Teammate Jarred Hyder contributed 15 points, while Peter Bandelj added 11 points paired with five assists in the effort against UC Irvine.
During the game, Leuchten’s nine points in the initial half couldn’t prevent UC Irvine from facing a one-point deficit with a halftime score of 39-38. Yet, the Anteaters awoke in the second half, executing a vital 10-0 run that propelled them to a commanding 21-point lead at 93-72 with just under three minutes remaining. This momentum shift was key in sealing their semifinal victory.
