IRVINE, Calif. --- Collin Welp hit a career-high 31 points on seven made three-pointers as UC Irvine took down Eastern Michigan, 77-56, on Saturday evening at the Bren Events Center.
Welp went 7-9 (.777) from the three-point line and 12-14 (.857) from the field, shooting his way to a career and game-high 31 points. Welp also grabbed a team-best six boards and finished with four assists and two blocks.
UCI improves to 5-4 overall and handed EMU (6-1) its first loss of the season.
The Anteaters retired UCI legend Scott Brooks' No. 12 jersey at halftime in front of a standing ovation crowd of over 2,000 fans.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
> Welp's 31 points were a new individual season-high for the Anteaters this season. His seven three-pointers were also a career-best
>
Eyassu Worku pitched in 11 points, while
Evan Leonard added nine
> The Anteaters held the advantage in shooting, going 28-57 (49.1%) from the field while holding EMU to just 18-59 (30.5%) overall
> UCI made a season-high 14 three-pointers, going 14-32 (.438) from long range
> Boubacar Toure recorded a double-double for the Eagles, scoring 14 points and logging 12 rebounds
> The 'Eaters got 44 points from their bench and out-rebounded EMU 44-34
TURNING POINTS
First Half
> The Anteaters would go on a 10-2 run capped by an
Evan Leonard three-pointer to take a 12-6 lead with 15:34 remaining
> Eastern Michigan responded, scoring six straight points to cut the UCI lead to 17-14 at 11:55
> Welp would help the 'Eaters open the lead, scoring nine straight points with a trio of three-pointers, giving the 'Eaters a 33-22 lead with 1:48 left
> The Eagles would take advantage of a blocked shot and a UCI turnover to score the final five points of the half, trimming the Anteater lead to 33-27
Second Half
> The Eagles came out of the locker rooms hot, using 7-2 run to push within a point of UCI, 35-34, at 16:44
> The 'Eaters would bounce back to go on a 7-2 run extending the lead to 43-36, with Welp contributing five points
> UC Irvine would catch fire going on a 16-0 run to push the lead to 23 points, 67-44, at 4:36
> Welp went 3-3 from behind the arc in the half
> The Anteaters maintained their advantage, closing out the 77-56 victory
Notes
> UCI set a new season-high in steals with 10
> The Anteaters improve to 3-0 over EMU in the all-time series
> UCI has out-rebounded all nine of its opponents this season
> The 'Eaters are 2-0 at home this season and 77-19 at the Bren over the last seven years
