FOLLOW THE ANTEATERS
UC Irvine (2-3) at LMU (3-3)
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 6 p.m.
Gersten Pavilion | Los Angeles, Calif.
AM 830 & KUCI Radio | Live Stats | Watch – WCC Network

UC Irvine (2-3) vs. USD (0-2)
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 4 p.m.
Bren Center Center | Irvine, Calif.
AM 830 & KUCI Radio | Live Stats | Watch – BigWest.Tv

Game Notes
 
UC Irvine will travel to Los Angeles for a non-conference game at LMU Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. before hosting San Diego Saturday, Dec. 19 at 4 p.m.

Per the direction of the Big West Board of Directors, the Anteaters will begin the season without spectators in attendance. The issue of fan attendance will be revisited as the season progresses.

Anteater fans can still purchase a "Defend the Bren" fan cutout here.

OPENING TIPS
> The Anteaters are 2-3 on the season and still looking for their first Division 1 win. UCI opened the season at the SDSU MTE, dropping games to Pepperdine and San Diego State. The 'Eaters earned a school record 135-55 win over Bethesda and a 104-54 victory against La Sierra before falling to USC on the road.
> Dec. 15, 1981 UCI's Kevin Magee set UCI's single game scoring record against LMU with 46 points, hitting 20-26 field goals
> UCI has won two-straight games against LMU. The teams last met in Irvine in 2015 with the 'Eaters earning a 77-53 victory. The Anteaters are 2-1 against LMU in the Russ Turner era.
> Freshman Dawson Baker has had a strong start for UCI, finishing in double-digit scoring four-out-of five games. He set a career-high 21 points against La Sierra and is averaging a team-high 12.6 ppg. He also led the 'Eaters in scoring against USC (17 points)
> Brad Greene became the 24^th Anteater in history to reach 500 career rebounds after finishing with eight at SDSU. He now sits at 521 career boards which puts him at 23^rd all-time, surpassing now assistant coach Alex Young (504)
> Greene led the 'Eaters in scoring in the first two games (against Pepperdine and SDSU), grabbing a career-high 20 points against Pepperdine and following that up with 11 points at SDSU. He is averaging a 11.4 ppg.
> UCI's returning leading scorer Collin Welp scored in double-digits in the 'Eaters first four games before a six-point performance against USC. Welp is third on the team averaging 10.6 ppg.
> UCI has outrebounded 3-of-5 opponents (SDSU, Bethesda and La Sierra) and has a +12.2 rebound margin through five games
> Last season, the Anteaters won their fifth Big West regular season title in seven seasons and eighth in program history. It was also the first time in history UCI won back-to-back outright titles. The 'Eaters did so with a 13-3 conference record, winning three more games than second place UCSB.
> The 2020-21 Anteaters have the second youngest team (Navy is first with 19 underclassman) in the NCAA with 13 underclassman and just two upperclassman. UCI is also tied with Auburn for the least number of upperclassman on the roster (2).
> Sophomore Austin Johnson and RS freshman Emmanuel Tshimanga both posted their first career double-doubles against Bethesda. Johnson finished the night with a game-high 20 points and career-high 16 rebounds while Tshimanga grabbed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson leads the team in rebounding (7.8 rpg).
> The 'Eaters win over Bethesda set school records for most points scored (135), field goals made (56) and assists (31). UCI's 80-point margin of victory set a school and Big West record. The 'Eaters also set Bren Events Center records in first half points scored (70) and field goal percentage (.691)

With a win Thursday … UCI will win its third-straight game against LMU and improve to 13-11 in the all-time series … Earn its first D1 win of the season … Earn its first win against a WCC school this season … Earn its first road win of the season

UCI SUFFERS LOSS TO TROJANS
> UCI suffered a 35-point, 91-56, loss to USC last Tuesday. A 35 point defeat is the most under the Russ Turner era
> Dawson Baker and Austin Johnson both finished in double-digits with 17 points and 10 points, respectively
> Andre Henry tied a career-best five assists
> UCI was outrebounded for just the second time this season, 42-34, and outscored in the paint, 34-22

ABOUT THE LIONS
> LMU is 3-3 on the season and is coming off a win against UCSB, 81-76. The Lions also have wins against Southern Utah and Long Beach State. LMU is 3-0 at home this season
> Eli Scott leads LMU in points (14.0 ppg), rebounds (9.5 rpg) and assists (3.5apg)
> Three additional Lions average in double-digit scoring including Joe Quintna (13.2 ppg), Dameane Douglas (13.2 ppg) and Keli Leaupepe (11.2 ppg)
> LMU is averaging 74.3 ppg
> UCI holds a 12-11 advantage in the all-time series
> Stan Johnson is in his first season as head coach at LMU

ABOUT THE TOREROS
> USD is 0-2 on the season with losses to UCLA and Nevada.
> The Toreros will travel to Cal Poly before making the trip to Irvine
> UCI and USD met last season in San Diego with the 'Eaters earing a 76-73 victory
> The Anteaters trail in the all-time series, 13-14
> Through two games, Frankie Hughes and Joey Calcaterra lead USD with 16 and 15 points, respectively
> Yauhen Massalski leads the Toreros in rebounding (10.0 rpg)
> Sam Scholl is in his third season as head coach of USD with a 30-40 overall record