FULLERTON, Calif. --- UC Irvine rode a stout defensive effort to avenge an earlier loss to Cal State Fullerton, 63-58, Saturday night at Titan Gym.

The defense dictated the flow in the rematch from the home loss a month ago holding Cal State Fullerton (12-9, 5-4) to 32.8% shooting from the field, the second-lowest percentage of the Titans in a game this year, in a vintage defensive effort.

"The sign of a good team is being able to win a couple different ways," noted head coach Russell Turner following the game, "and tonight we went inside and our big guys converted a lot of plays, especially Tommy early."

The offense rallied early behind Tommy Rutherford and his 12 first-half points finishing out with a team-high 17 making 7-of-9 shots, and the 'Eaters really closed out the victory making the late lead hold up by making 16-of-19 shots from the free throw line to complete the five-point win.

"I thought this game on the road we did the things we couldn't do in the last game. It was pretty, but we did continue to defend and rebound and take care of the ball enough, get enough good shots to give ourselves a chance to come away with the victory and then made our free throws, he showed all the winning components tonight, I'm proud of my guys."

The Anteaters never relinquished the lead behind its impressive paint play scoring 20 of 27 first-half points from the key and 34 points overall while limiting Fullerton's production as Jackson Rowe, who starred with 14 points in the previous matchup, was held to just four shots despite hauling in a game-high 11 rebounds.

Evan Leonard and Eyassu Worku were offensive presences in the second half as Leonard had 11 of his 14 and Worku accounting for 8 of his 12 on the second frame to fuel the strong effort. Leonard also shone with a career high seven assists along with six boards, two steals, and a block for the squad.

Jonathan Galloway wrangled home nine rebounds in addition to a block, a steal, and a point coming on a clutch late free throw. Galloway reached 600 career rebounds with his performance becoming the 14th Anteater all-time to reach that mark. In the process, he surpassed current assistant coach Michael Wilder on the all-time list.

The win propels UCI to 6-3 in the conference, a game behind Big West leaders UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara each at 7-2. UCI will have a chance for its first three-game win streak of the season at home as its plays host to CSUN Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. with a ESPN3 broadcast of the game.

NOTES: Tommy Rutherford has led the team in scoring in four of the last five games...UC Irvine foul shooters have now made 33 of their last 39 shots from the line...this was only the second game this season where UCI has never trailed (Nov. 14 vs. Chapman)...the 10 bench points were the least scored by UCI in a game this season...the 5 points were the smallest margin of victory for the Anteaters all season...the 32.8% shooting allowed is the third-lowest percentage given up to a Division I opponent (24.6% to UC Riverside, 29.8% to South Dakota State)