IRVINE, Calif. — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, UC Irvine secured a victorious 82-72 outcome over Northern Colorado in the NIT tournament. This win propels UC Irvine, now boasting a 28-6 record, into a second-round face-off against Jacksonville State.
Devin Tillis played a pivotal role for the Anteaters, contributing an impressive 24 points to the scoreboard. Alongside his scoring prowess, he also gathered seven rebounds, showcasing his all-around talents. Bent Leuchten made a significant impact as well, adding 17 points while shooting 8 for 14 from the floor. Leuchten also dominated the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking three shots. Justin Hohn had a strong performance as well, scoring 15 points through determined efforts, including going 3 for 9 from beyond the arc and an effective 6 of 8 from the free-throw line.
On the opposing side, the Bears, who hold a 25-9 record, were led by Brock Wisne. Wisne delivered a solid performance with 16 points, accompanying his efforts with seven rebounds and two steals, making a notable contribution for Northern Colorado. Langston Reynolds contributed significantly as well, tallying 15 points and dishing out five assists. Jaron Rillie was another bright spot for the Bears, adding 14 points and four assists to the team’s effort.
In the closing moments of the game, Hohn sealed the victory for UC Irvine by scoring the final seven points, shutting down any potential comeback from Northern Colorado.