UC Irvine's attempt at a second-half comeback fell short in a 75-72 loss to UNLV during the first round of the NIT at the Bren Events Center. After struggling in the first half with only 24 points, UCI rallied back to narrow the gap to just one point in the final seconds. Key performances came from Derin Saran and Kyle Evans, but it wasn't enough to overcome UNLV's earlier lead. UCI concludes its season at 23-12, marking its 16th instance of reaching 20 or more wins in program history.

By the Numbers
  • UCI shot 58.6% (17-29) from the field in the second half and 40.3% (25-62) for the game.
  • Derin Saran led the Anteaters with 18 points, while Kyle Evans recorded his 12th double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Yes, But

Although UCI showed resilience by closing the scoring gap, their early struggles and inability to capitalize on free throw opportunities ultimately cost them the game against a strong UNLV team.

State of Play
  • UCI started slow, tying for the second fewest first-half points this season.
  • UNLV has now won five consecutive matchups against UCI, demonstrating a consistent advantage in this rivalry.
What's Next

With the season concluded, UCI will focus on offseason development and building on the positive team dynamics shown during the season, particularly in their strong second-half performances.

Bottom Line

The Anteaters displayed heart in their late-game surge but were ultimately hampered by their poor start. Key takeaways include the need for improved offensive consistency to contend in future tournaments and solidify their standing in the postseason.