IRVINE, Calif. - In its fourth-consecutive victory, the UC Irvine men's basketball team defeated Big West opponent CSUN, 77-56, Wednesday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
Four games marks the longest winning streak for the 'Eaters this season as they improve to 12-14 overall and 7-3 in conference play. UCI remains third in the Big West standings behind UC Santa Barbara (18-5, 7-2) and UC Davis (16-7, 7-2). The Matadors fall to 5-19 on the season and 2-8 in the Big West.
 
It was the second time the two teams have squared off this season as the 'Eaters earned the sweep after grabbing a 71-54 victory over the Matadors in January.
 
Tommy Rutherford led the team in scoring and rebounds, finishing with 18 points and 10 boards for his third double-double of the season. Evan Leonard went 5-for-10 from the field with three makes from behind the three-point line, tallying 15 points overall. 13 of those points came in the second half.
 
Defensively, Elston Jones notched six blocks, marking a career-high and a season-high for the 'Eaters. Jones picked up five boards while Jonathan Galloway had six and also grabbed two steals. As a team, UCI held advantages in rebounds (41-29), blocks (7-3) , steals (5-4) and points in the paint (46-14).
 
UCI shot 50.8 percent (31-61) overall and held CSUN to just 34.5 percent (19-55) from the field.
 
The 'Eaters turned around a slow start, using a 13-point run to take a double figure lead midway through the first half. UCI would not get on the board until 13:55, with a pair of made free throws from Evan Leonard. A three-pointer from Darrian Traylor with 10:42 showing on the clock kick started the Anteater offense and they never looked back. UCI lead by as much as 16 in the first half. A late run enabled the Matadors to bring the game within eight, 28-20, heading into the locker rooms.
 
UCI held CSUN to 25.8 percent (8-31) from the floor in the half while the Matadors went 1-for-5 (.20) from behind the arc. The 'Eaters were cold from long range, shooting just 11.1 percent (1-9).
 
UCI led by as much as 21 points and held a double figure lead for the majority of the second half. A jumper followed by a made free-throw from the Matadors' Tavrion Dawson brought the game within 10, 60-50, with 6:08 remaining, but the 'Eaters answered with an 11-point run to lock in the win.
 
CSUN had three players finish in double digits including Dawson (18), Terrell Gomez (11) and Lyrik Shreiner (11).
 
UCI heads to UC Riverside for a conference matchup Saturday, February 10 at 5:00 p.m.
 
 
NOTES: Tonight marked Jonathan Galloway's 100^th career game … UCI is 36-24 all-time against CSUN … First time this season Tommy Rutherford lead the team in points and rebounds …Elston's six blocks were the most by an Anteater this season … The Anteaters have won three-straight at the Bren with their last home loss dating back to Jan. 11 against Cal State Fullerton … Rutherford has scored in double figures for the sixth-straight game … This marks UCI's longest winning streak of the season … Rutherford grabbed his third double-double of the season and fourth of his career … it's the 17^th time this season Leonard has knocked down two or more threes in a game...Justin Wertner appeared in his 13^th game this season, playing three minutes, his  first action since the Idaho game on Dec. 21, 2017 … Teo Davidson saw action for the seventh time this season.