IRVINE, Calif. --- 11th-ranked UC Irvine men's water polo lost its battle with No. 6 UC Santa Barbara Friday night at Anteater Aquatics Complex, 14-9.

The Anteaters (8-12, 1-3) took the early advantage on a pair of power play goals by Jason Evezard and Zlatan Nikocevic to go up 2-0 in the first three minutes. UCI even got help from a violation on a penalty shot from Boris Jovanovic late in the period, but the Gauchos (18-8, 3-1) still found a late run of goals to finish off the first with a 3-2 lead.

Ivan Gvordanovic began the second period with his third straight goal, but the 'Eaters answered with back-to-back goals to tie things up halfway through the period.

UCSB finished the period on a 4-1 run including a hard-fought strike with four seconds left to give the Gauchos an 8-5 halftim lead.

UCI's offense stalled in the third period failing to score while the Gauchos added to their lead with a pair in the final two minutes to lead 10-5 heading into the final period.

The 'Eaters drew to within three after a deceptive strike from Evezard caught the netminder off guard still with 6:06 left in the match, but the Gauchos found their scoring once again finishing on a 4-1 run to complete the 14-9 victory.

Tiago Bonchristiano earned the win for UCSB stopping 10 shots in the match. Chandler Mankins also stopped 10 for the 'Eaters, and two were added by Jake Huynen in the second period.

Evezard led all scorers with five goals, and Gornay, Bryant Joudrie, and Jack Trush added single scores. Nikocevic also scored along with a game-high three assists.

UCSB was led by three goals each from Jovanovic and Gvordanovic.

The 'Eaters continue at home this weekend with a matchup against No. 1 USC Sunday, Nov. 4, at 1:00 p.m.