NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- UC Irvine evened up its conference record once again with a convincing 71-54 defeat of CSUN Saturday night in The Matadome.

A third-straight 20-point game from Evan Leonard fueled the offense as he put 14 points home by halftime along with four rebounds as the 'Eaters had a 38-30 advantage through 20 minutes.

The Anteaters (7-13, 2-2) nearly led wire-to-wire earning their first double-digit lead with 6:12 left in the first half on a Leonard three. CSUN (3-14, 0-3) drew within single-digits by the half and dropped its deficit to six early in the second half. UCI found its rhythm led by Max Hazzard who led second half scorers with eight, part of his 14, and Evan Leonard's transition lay-in with 14:08 to go stretched the lead back out to double digits where it would stay until the final horn for a 17-point Anteater victory.

Leonard's 20 led all scorers hitting 8-of-14 from the field, three from deep, tied a career high with six boards, and was the team's leader with two steals.

The national leader in rebounds continued to back that with 42 on the night to 23 from the Matadors and 15 on the offensive end. Jonathan Galloway paced all with nine including five offensive, and filled up the scoresheet with eight points, two assists, a steal, two of the 'Eaters' three free throws, and two blocks helping him reach 100 for his career.

Galloway was instrumental in locking down CSUN's star Tavrion Dawson keeping him under a season average with 14 points. Dawson shared his team's high in points with Micheal Warren, and each hauled in a Matador-high five boards. CSUN shot just 34% on the evening, but was a perfect 15-of-15 from the line.

The Anteater Big West slate rolls on with a home matchup Thursday, Jan. 18, against Cal Poly. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3 starting at 7:00 p.m.

GAME NOTES: Tommy Rutherford played 27 minutes, one off a season high, and blocked three shots matching a season high...Rutherford led all Anteaters with four assists eclipsing a career high...UCI hit 10 threes in a game for the fifth time this season, second time in conference play...UCI set season lows at the free throw line with 3 makes and 5 attempts...CSUN's 17 defensive rebounds matches a season low allowed by the 'Eaters (Whittier)...the 23 rebounds allowed is a season low allowed by the 'Eaters, the previous low was 28 by Arizona State...CSUN recorded two steals, tied for the lowest from an Anteater opponent (Whittier, Idaho)...CSUN committed the least amount of fouls by an Anteater opponent this season with 11...Galloway's 100th block came in his 94th career game