Thursday, November 28
Lethbridge, Alberta
4:30 PM (5:30 PM MT)
UC Irvine
vs
Kennesaw State
UC Irvine Treks To Canada For Western Slam
November 27, 2024 | Men's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. -- UC Irvine men's basketball crosses the border to the Great White North for three games in three days at the Western Slam MTE from Nov. 28-30 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
UC Irvine vs. Towson
Saturday, Nov. 30 | 6:30 p.m. PT
VisitLethbridge.com Arena | Lethbridge, Alberta
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | UC Irvine Game Notes | Towson Game Notes
ABOUT TOWSON
> Towson finished their 2023-24 campaign with a 20-14 overall record, 11-77 in the Coastal Athletic Association
> The Tigers dropped 61-56 in the CAA semifinals to eventual champion College of Charleston
> Towson collected a notable 81-71 victory over UMASS a year ago
> After the completion of the 2023-24 season, the Tigers lost All-CAA Third Team and All-CAA Defensive Team player in Charles Thompson
> On the other hand, Towson returns both Tyler Tejada (program's first CAA Rookie of the Year) and Dylan Williamson (All-CAA Rookie Team)
> In the preseason, Tejada was placed on the All-CAA First Team, Christian May on the All-CAA Second Team, and Tejada was named an Honorable Mention
> Towson enters the contest with a 4-4 overall record and came to the tournament on a three-game win streak
> The Tigers dropped their first two games of the Western Slam to Kent State (65-54) and Kennesaw State (67-63 OT)
> Towson has three players averaging double figure scoring through eight games
> Williamson leads the offense with 15.1 points per game (121 total) and has made and taken the most three-pointers (22-49, 0.449)
> Tejada is next up with his 14.7 points, only done over three games
> Nendah Tarke rounds out the double figure scoring with his 12 points per game
> Tarke has made the most trips to the free throw line, 34-51, where he is shooting at a 66.7 and also leads the Tigers with 5.5 rebounds per game and 16 assists
> Mekhi Lowery is a competitor off the glass with a team high 6.9 boards per game (55) total and shares the team lead of 16 assists
NICE TO MEET YOU
UCI has not met Towson in program history. The Tigers are one of four teams on UCI's schedule that the Anteaters have not faced before with the others being Northern Iowa, Kennesaw State, and Belmont. UC Irvine is 5-1 over the last two seasons when facing an opponent for the first time and 2-0 in 2024-25.
TOP SHELF
Saturday's contest between UC Irvine and Towson will pit two successful mid-major programs against each other. The Anteaters were picked to finish atop the Big West league standings while the Tigers were selected to finish first in the Coastal Athletic Association.
DEFENSIVE BATTLE
For the second consecutive game, UC Irvine will face a top 50 nationally ranked defense in Towson. From the field, the Tigers are 36th in scoring defense as they hold their opponents to 63.6 points per game and from long range they are 37th in three-point percentage defense (0272). The Anteaters are 11th in the nation in scoring defense (58.6).
SHARP SHOOTER
Devin Tillis has sharp vision when he puts the ball up for a shot at any distance on the floor. The forward connects at a hot 74.5 (38-51) percent from the field which stands as the fourth best clip in the NCAA after the completion of Friday Nov. 29 games. Tillis also leads the three-point shooting for the Anteaters at a 61.5 rate (8-13).
CHASING 1K
Graduate student Justin Hohn enters Saturday's meeting with Towson sitting at 994 career points, just six away from the 1,000-career scorer's milestone. Hohn would become the 33rd Anteater to accomplish this feat in a UC Irvine uniform, the first since Dawson Baker at the completion of the 2022-23 campaign.
CAREER LEADER BOARD WATCH
With 140 made three-pointers in his career, graduate student Justin Hohn ranks 15th in the career made three-pointers leader board and is two three-pointers away from catching Travis Souza (2011-15) and Scott Brooks (1985-87) for 14th with 142.
GRITTY DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE LIFTS UCI TO 51-39 WIN OVER KENT STATE
Gritty Anteater defense along with a dominating offensive performance from Bent Leuchten led UC Irvine to a 51-39 victory over Kent State Friday evening. The center poured in a game high 17 points where he shot 4-6 (0.667) from the field and a game high 9-11 (0.818) from the free throw line. Leuchten pulled down eight boards, recorded two steals, assisted on a basket, and blocked a shot. UCI, who ranks 26th in the NCAA in scoring defense, limited the Golden Flashes offense to a season low 39 points. The last time the Anteaters limited a Division I opponent to fewer than 40 points was in the 63-37 triumph of UC Riverside on February 15, 2006. In back-to-back games, UC Irvine has held their opponents to under 20 percent from three-point range as Kent State went 4-27 (0.148) from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Golden Flashes shot 22.6 percent from the floor (14-62), a season low from an Anteater opponent.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
The Anteaters have been sharp at the free throw line this season with 109 makes in 134 attempts and leads the Big West in free throw percentage (0.813) which is also the nation's ninth best shooting clip at the line. UC Irvine went a perfect 14-14 at the charity stripe on Nov. 16, their first game where they did not miss a shot at the line since their 11-11 performance at Duquesne (Nov. 29, 2023). UCI shot a season low 6-9 from the charity stripe on Nov. 28 in the win over Kennesaw State.
THIS JUST-IN!
Justin Hohn is a UC Irvine squad leader with 77 total points and 11.0 points per game scoring. The graduate student has 45 double figure scoring games in his career, the most of any player on the Anteater squad, Hohn reached 900 career points in his 19-point performance on March 15th versus Long Beach State and is six away from eclipsing the 1,000-mark. The guard leads the Anteaters in both assists (27) and steals (11).
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Devin Tillis is a threat both on offense and defense for the Anteaters. The forward coverts at a high rate from the floor (38-51, 0.745) and has five double digit scoring games on the season. Additionally, Tillis is second on the squad in rebounds with 59 total (8.4 rpg). Tillis also leads all Anteaters with eight career double-doubles posting back-to-back double figure efforts against Pepperdine (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and at Weber State (15 pts., 11 rebs.).
THE ANDRE SPECIAL
Andre Henry has helped the Anteaters get it done on both ends of the court this season. From the field, Henry is shooting at a high percentage, 25-61 (0.410) and is a top shooter at the free throw line with his 11 makes (11-12, 0.917). The graduate student has stolen the ball from opponents 10 times.
THE GERMAN PAINTER
Bent Leuchten dominates at the post or in the paint whether it is scoring baskets or grabbing the ball off the glass. The center is the team's leader off the glass, averaging 9.4 rebounds a game in seven contests played, and helps pace the scoring at 16.0 points per game. Leuchten has posted double-figure scoring games in six games this year, the latest vs. Kent State (Nov. 29) where he put up 17 points.
CHE-SANITY
At the top of the formation for the Anteaters, Myles Che helps lead the distribution effort with his 13 total assists. Che adds to the scoring effort with his 7.4 points per game and recorded his first double digit scoring game in an Anteater uniform at Northern Iowa on Nov. 10 with his ten points. The guard is coming off his second double figure scoring effort this weekend with 11 points against Pepperdine behind a career best 8-8 (1.000) from the charity stripe. Che dons the number 77, an ode to Jeremy Lin's number 7.
SWAT TEAM
Junior transfer Kyle Evans has registered multiple blocks in back-to-back contests, totaling 10 over seven contests. His 10 swats at the rim rank fourth in the Big West. The forward had a career best performance against the Panthers on Nov. 10 with his first double figure performance with 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and matched that with a 10-point game at Weber State (Nov. 22).
PUT IT IN THE PAINT
UCI has outscored their opponents by 74 points when scoring in the paint (UCI 260, Opp. 186). The Anteaters average 37.14 points in the paint per game and have scored 40 or more points in four games so far (Chapman--42, Northern Iowa--48, Weber State--44, Kennesaw State--44).
TEN'S ALL AROUND
Through seven games in the season, Bent Leuchten has scored at least 10 or more points or pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds in each of the six contests to average a near double-double at 16.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, Leuchten's career best 15 grabs off the glass against Pepperdine are an Anteater first in the 15-19 rebounds in a game category since Collin Welp pulled down 19 on the road at LMU on Dec. 17, 2020.
OLD RELIABLE
With a veteran team that has won multiple championships in the last few seasons, three UC Irvine veteran starters are averaging double figures. Bent Leuchten leads the way with 16, Devin Tillis next at 13.6, and Justin Hohn right behind at 110. Andre Henry is close to double figure scoring with his 9.4 points per game.
KENPOM LEADERS
Out of 2335 eligible players, Devin Tillis is first in true shooting percentage (82.4), first in effective field goal percentage (81.1), 21st in two-point percentage (0.788), and 31st in defensive rebound percentage (28.1). Bent Leuchten is 20th in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (7.7). Myles Che joins the duo with his 47th rank in free throw percentage (0.929). Out of 364 teams, UC Irvine ranks second in offensive rebound percentage defense (18.7), second in free throw percentage offense (84.2), seventh in adjusted efficiency defense (92.9), seventh in two-point percentage defense (41.0), ninth in free throw attempt/field goal attempt defense (21.1), 11th in effective field goal percentage defense (41.9), and 33rd in minutes continuity (56.7).
LEADING THE BIG WEST
Several Anteaters sit in the top ten of the Big West individual statistical rankings: scoring (8th, 16.0--Leuchten), rebounds per game (1st, 9.4--Leuchten and 4th, 8.4--Tillis), field goal percentage (1st, 0.745--Tillis), free throw percentage (10th, 0.776--Leuchten), assists (4th, 3.9--Hohn), blocks (4th, 1.4--Evans and 7th, 1.0--Leuchten), and steals (7th, 1.6--Hohn).
NATIONAL STATISTICS THROUGH 11.29.24
UC Irvine is ranked top 50 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7th--32.00), free throw percentage (9th--0.813), field goal percentage defense (10th--0.358), scoring defense (11th--58.6), rebound margin (24th--10.0), scoring margin (37th--16.9), rebounds per game (41st--41.14), and assists per game (48th--16.7).
UC Irvine vs. Kent State
Friday, Nov. 29 | 6:30 p.m. PT
VisitLethbridge.com Arena | Lethbridge, Alberta
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | UC Irvine Game Notes | Kent State Game Notes
ABOUT KENT STATE
> Kent State finished their 2023-24 campaign with a 17-17 overall record, 8-10 in the Mid-American Conference
> The Golden Flashes made it to the MAC Championship last season where they fell 72-61 the Akron Zips after winning the tournament title a year prior (2022-23)
> KSU collected a notable 79-76 victory over UNC Asheville a year ago
> In the new season Kent State brings in five transfers to the program: Anthony Morales (Boston U), Cian Medley (Saint Louis), Marquis Barnett (Presbyterian), Morgan Safford (Miami OH), and Jamal Sumlin (Northwest Florida State College)
> Kent State enters the contest with a 5-1 overall with their lone loss coming to then No. 5 Auburn, 79-56
> The Golden Flashes, the winners of three straight games, opened the Western Slam with an 11-point (65-54) victory over Towson
> KSU was picked to finish third in the MAC behind Ohio and Akron while earning All-MAC Preseason First Team honors for VonCameron Davis and All-MAC Preseason Second Team nods for Jalen Sullinger
> Davis leads the scoring for the Golden Flashes at 16.3 points per game (98 total) on 32-67 shooting from the floor (32-67) and a team high 47.1 percent (8-17) from three-point range
> Additionally, Davis has made the most trips to the free throw line where he is shooting 92.9 percent only missing two of his attempts (26-28)
> Safford rounds out the double figure scoring at 11 points per game with a team best 12 made triples
> Sullinger is close to averaging double digit scoring at 9.5 points per game and is a team leader in both assists (15) and steals (6)
> Hornbeak connects a Kent State best 63.3 percent of his shots from the floor, 19-30, and grabs 7.2 rebounds per game (43 total)
> Morales supports the offense with 6.5 points per game at a 0.536 (15-28) clip
> Medley leads the attack with his team best 19 assists
STOUT DEFENSE
The game between Kent State and UC Irvine pits together two strong defensive teams. The Anteaters defense holds a 61.8 point scoring defense, 26th nationally, and has held four opponents under 60 points a game with the last versus Kennesaw State. The Golden Flashes defense ranks 32nd in the NCAA at 62.8 points per game.
SECOND UNIT SUPPORT
UC Irvine's second unit provided the energetic surge needed to pull off the 15-point victory over Kennesaw State in the opening day game of the Western Slam. Guard Jurian Dixon brought the Anteater offense alive with a team high 11 points on 5-5 shooting from the field which included a three-pointer at the halftime intermission and finished with a career high 15 points. Kyle Evans stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, six rebounds, an assist, and a block. Langston Redfield dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds while Ofure Ujadughele recorded three assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Torian Lee added disruption on defense with his quick hands.
SHARING IS CARING
In the win over Kennesaw State, the Anteaters dished out a season high 24 assists on 32 made baskets. Both Justin Hohn and Langston Redfield tied their season bests recorded just a game prior at Weber State with six and four, respectively. UC Irvine is averaging 17.7 assists per game which tops the Big West and ranks 33rd in the NCAA.
SHARP SHOOTER
Devin Tillis has sharp vision when he puts the ball up for a shot at any distance on the floor. The forward connects at a hot 77.8 (35-45) percent from the field which stands as the fourth best clip in the NCAA after the completion of Thursday Nov. 28 games. Tillis also leads the three-point shooting for the Anteaters at a 72.7 rate (8-11).
CHASING 1K
Graduate student Justin Hohn enters Friday's meeting with Kent State sitting at 988 career points, just 12 away from the 1,000-career scorer's milestone. Hohn would become the 33rd Anteater to accomplish this feat in a UC Irvine uniform, the first since Dawson Baker at the completion of the 2022-23 campaign.
CAREER LEADER BOARD WATCH
With 140 made three-pointers in his career, graduate student Justin Hohn ranks 15th in the career made three-pointers leader board and is two three-pointers away from catching Travis Souza (2011-15) and Scott Brooks (1985-87) for 14th with 142.
ANTEATER TRIO LEADS UCI TO 93-87 VICTORY AT WEBER STATE
UC Irvine opened the Western Slam with a dominating 76-59 victory over Kennesaw State inside the VisitLethbridge.com Arena early Thursday evening. The Anteaters shot over 50 percent in both halves to finish 32-62 (0.516) from the floor. UCI had four players finish in double figures led by forward Devin Tillis's 15 points on 6-8 shooting from the floor, 2-3 from three-point range. The redshirt senior also chipped in four rebounds and three assists. Redshirt freshman Jurian Dixon also finished with a career-best 15 points on an efficient 87.5 percent (7-8) from the floor including a triple. Andre Henry muscled his way to 13 points in the contest as he went 5-9 in the field, pulled down four rebounds, dished out two assists, and stole the ball three times.
Center Bent Leuchten rounded out the double figure scoring with his 10 points (4-6) and grabbed a game high six rebounds. The Owls, who are in the top national team rankings in rebounding and three-point shooting, lost the glass advantage (41-32) and were held to a season low 4-23 (0.174) mark beyond the arc.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
The Anteaters have been sharp at the free throw line this season with 90 makes in 112 attempts and leads the Big West in free throw percentage (0.804) which is also the nation's 14th best shooting clip at the line. UC Irvine went a perfect 14-14 at the charity stripe on Nov. 16, their first game where they did not miss a shot at the line since their 11-11 performance at Duquesne (Nov. 29, 2023). UCI shot a season low 6-9 from the charity stripe on Nov. 28 in the win over Kennesaw State.
THIS JUST-IN!
Justin Hohn is a UC Irvine squad leader with 71 total points and 11.8 points per game scoring. The graduate student has 45 double figure scoring games in his career, the most of any player on the Anteater squad, Hohn reached 900 career points in his 19-point performance on March 15th versus Long Beach State and is 15 away from eclipsing the 1,000-mark. The guard leads the Anteaters in both assists (23) and steals (11).
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Devin Tillis is a threat both on offense and defense for the Anteaters. The forward coverts at a high rate from the floor (35-45, 0.778) and has five double digit scoring games on the season. Additionally, Tillis is second on the squad in rebounds with 48 total (8.0 rpg). Tillis also leads all Anteaters with eight career double-doubles posting back-to-back double figure efforts against Pepperdine (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and at Weber State (15 pts., 11 rebs.).
THE ANDRE SPECIAL
Andre Henry has helped the Anteaters get it done on both ends of the court this season. From the field, Henry is shooting at a high percentage, 23-50 (0.460) and is a top shooter at the free throw line with his nine makes (9-10, 0.900). The graduate student has stolen the ball from opponents nine times.
THE GERMAN PAINTER
Bent Leuchten dominates at the post or in the paint whether it is scoring baskets or grabbing the ball off the glass. The center is the team's leader off the glass, averaging 9.7 rebounds a game in four contests played, and helps pace the scoring at 15.8 points per game. Leuchten has posted double-figure scoring games in five games this year, the latest vs. Kennesaw State (Nov. 28) where he put up 10 points.
CHE-SANITY
At the top of the formation for the Anteaters, Myles Che helps lead the distribution effort with his 12 total assists. Che adds to the scoring effort with his 7.7 points per game and recorded his first double digit scoring game in an Anteater uniform at Northern Iowa on Nov. 10 with his ten points. The guard is coming off his second double figure scoring effort this weekend with 11 points against Pepperdine behind a career best 8-8 (1.000) from the charity stripe. Che dons the number 77, an ode to Jeremy Lin's number 7.
SWAT TEAM
Junior transfer Kyle Evans has registered multiple blocks in back-to-back contests, totaling seven over six contests. His six swats at the rim rank fifth in the Big West. The forward had a career best performance against the Panthers on Nov. 10 with his first double figure performance with 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and matched that with a 10-point game at Weber State (Nov. 22).
PUT IT IN THE PAINT
UCI has outscored their opponents by 72 points when scoring in the paint (UCI 238, Opp. 166). The Anteaters average 39.7 points in the paint per game and have scored 40 or more points in four games so far (Chapman--42, Northern Iowa--48, Weber State--44, Kennesaw State--44).
TEN'S ALL AROUND
Through six games in the season, Bent Leuchten has scored at least 10 or more points or pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds in each of the six contests to average a near double-double at 15.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Additionally, Leuchten's career best 15 grabs off the glass are an Anteater first in the 15-19 rebounds in a game category since Collin Welp pulled down 19 on the road at LMU on Dec. 17, 2020.
OLD RELIABLE
With a veteran team that has won multiple championships in the last few seasons, four UC Irvine veteran starters are averaging double figures. Bent Leuchten leads the way with 15.8, Devin Tillis next at 14.5, Justin Hohn at 11.8, and Andre Henry rounding it out with his 10.
KENPOM LEADERS
Out of 2329 eligible players, Devin Tillis is first in true shooting percentage (86.5), first in effective field goal percentage (85.9), 18th in two-point percentage (0.792), and 50th in defensive rebound percentage (26.8). Bent Leuchten is 27th in defensive rebound percentage (28.8). Myles Che joins the duo with his 46th rank in free throw percentage (0.929). Out of 364 teams, UC Irvine ranks first in offensive rebound percentage defense (17.3), second in free throw percentage offense (83.5), ninth in free throw attempt/field goal attempt defense (21.5), 26th in two-point percentage defense (43.2), 31st in adjusted efficiency defense (95.9), and 32nd in minutes continuity (56.7).
LEADING THE BIG WEST
Several Anteaters sit in the top ten of the Big West individual statistical rankings: scoring (8th, 15.8--Leuchten), rebounds per game (1st, 9.7--Leuchten and 4th, 8.0--Tillis), field goal percentage (1st, 0.778--Tillis), assists (4th, 3.8--Hohn), blocks (5th, 1.2--Evans and 7th, 1.0--Leuchten), and steals (5th, 1.8--Hohn and 9th, 1.5--Henry).
NATIONAL STATISTICS THROUGH 11.28.24
UC Irvine is ranked top 50 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7th--31.83), free throw percentage (14th--0.804), rebound margin (25th--10.0), scoring defense (26th--61.8), assists per game (33rd--17.7), scoring margin (35th--17.7), field goal percentage defense (37th--0.381), and rebounds per game (43rd--41.0).
UC Irvine vs. Kennesaw State
Thursday, Nov. 28 | 4:30 p.m. PT
VisitLethbridge.com Arena | Lethbridge, Alberta
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | UC Irvine Game Notes | Kennesaw State Game Notes
ABOUT KENNESAW STATE
> Kennesaw State finished their 2023-24 campaign with a 15-16 overall record, 6-10 in the Atlantic Sun
> The Owls, whose season came to an end in the ASUN First Round, recently made the conference change over to Conference USA (C-USA) starting in the 2024-25 year
> KSU collected a notable 79-76 victory over UNC Asheville a year ago
> Much like UC Irvine, Kennesaw State made their first NCAA Appearance as a Division I school in 2022-23 as they took both the ASUN regular season and tournament titles
> The Owls lost significant players Terrell Burden (NABC All-District Second Team and All-ASUN Second Team) and RJ Johnson (All-ASUN Freshman Team) during the offseason
> Kennesaw State enters the contest with a 5-1 overall record and are coming off a 79-77 upset of No. 24 Rutgers
> The victory over the Scarlet Knights gave the Owls their first 5-1 start in program history and their first ever win over an AP Top 25 team
> KSU has four players scoring double figures through six games led by Simeon Cottle with 18.2 points per game (109 total)
> Cottle ranks 13th nationally in free throw percentage (28-29, 0.966) and is second on the team with 23 assists
> Adrian Wooley has scored 86 total points on 30-57 shooting from the field (0.526) for 14.3 points per game
> Wooley is the Owls top distributor with 26 assists and has eight steals so far this season
> Cottle and Wooley have made the most three-pointers for KSU with 21 (21-48, 0.438) and 12 (12-30, 0.429), respectively
> Jamil Miller averages 11.7 points per game while connecting 60.0 percent of his shots (24-40)
> Braedan Lue rounds out the double figure scoring at 11 points per game and pulls down a team leading 7.5 rebounds per game (45 total)
> Ricardo Wright is close to averaging double digits at 9.5 points per game (57 total)
O CANADA!
UC Irvine heads into Lethbridge, Alberta for three games in the Western Slam from Nov. 28-30. The games will the program's first ever games played in Canada. The Anteaters have a current connection to Canada with freshman Torian Lee, a Surrey, British Columbia resident, who played on the Canadian U18 National Team this summer. Under head coach Russell Turner's tenure, he graduated another Canadian in Adam Folker (Markham, Ontario), a two-time Big West Hustle Award recipient.
ROAD WARRIORS
Starting Nov. 22, UC Irvine will play nine of their next ten games away from their home floor. The Anteaters will play at least four games on either side of the home contest on Dec. 5 where they will face Weber State, Kennesaw State, Kent State, and Towson (Nov. 22, Nov 28-30) on the front end and Oregon State, Belmont, Duquesne, California Baptist, and Cal Poly (Dec. 14, Dec. 19, Dec. 21, Dec. 30, Jan. 2). It could be extended out to 11 of their next 13 games with two more road contests after a Jan. 4 meeting with UC Riverside.
POLL POSITION
UC Irvine remains ranked third in CollegeInsider.com's Mid Major poll for the second consecutive week. The Anteaters have remained in the top 5 for the last three weeks. In T3 Bracketology's weekly poll the Anteaters ranked second, 15th in Mid-Major Madness's weekly release, and moved up to 15th in Mid Major Basketball's rankings.
NICE TO MEET YOU
UCI has not met Kennesaw State in program history. The Owls are one of four teams on UCI's schedule that the Anteaters have not faced before with the others being Northern Iowa, Towson, and Belmont. UC Irvine is 4-1 over the last two seasons when facing an opponent for the first time and 1-0 in 2024-25 with the 80-60 victory at UNI.
BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
Two strong rebounding teams in Kennesaw State and UC Irvine go head-to-head on Thursday Nov. 28. The Owls average 47.2 rebounds per game to the Anteaters 41 and both teams hold a double figure rebounding margin over their opponents, 15 and 10.2, respectively. KSU is top 10 nationally in rebounds per game (2nd--47.2), rebound margin (3rd--15), offensive rebounds per game (8th--1583), and defensive rebounds per game (9th--31.33). UCI is eighth in the nation in defensive rebounds per game, 27th in margin, and 47th in rebounds per game.
GOING FOR THREE
The contest between the Anteaters and the Owls can turn into a three-point shootout as both squads are ranked top 50 in the NCAA in various categories. UC Irvine is 33rd in three-point percentage (0.393) while Kennesaw State is 25th in three-pointers made per game (10.7) and 40th in three-pointers attempted per game (28.8).
DOUBLE DOSE
In the win at Weber State both Bent Leuchten and Devin Tillis recorded double-doubles. Leucthen powered the offense behind a season high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Tillis contributed 15 points and 11 boards. Both players have two double-doubles now on the season, the last at LMU (Nov. 8) for Leuchten and versus Pepperdine (Nov. 16) for Tillis.
CHASING 1K
Graduate student Justin Hohn enters Thursday's meeting with Kennesaw State sitting at 985 career points, just 15 away from the 1,000-career scorer's milestone. Hohn would become the 33rd Anteater to accomplish this feat in a UC Irvine uniform, the first since Dawson Baker at the completion of the 2022-23 campaign.
CAREER LEADER BOARD WATCH
With 140 made three-pointers in his career, graduate student Justin Hohn ranks 15th in the career made three-pointers leader board and is two three-pointers away from catching Travis Souza (2011-15) and Scott Brooks (1985-87) for 14th with 142.
ANTEATER TRIO LEADS UCI TO 93-87 VICTORY AT WEBER STATE
Center Bent Leuchten poured in 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in UC Irvine's 93-87 victory over Weber State on Friday evening at the Dee Events Center. The free throw line was important as UCI went 22-27 (0.815) for the game, including 8-9 in the final minute, while Weber State was 13-25 (0.520). In a closely contested game, UCI went on a 12-0 run in a three-minute spurt late in the game to help secure the victory. Leuchten went 9-18 from the floor and 10-14 from the line for his season-high 29 points. He shared the team lead in rebounds, pulling down 11, for his second career double-double, and had three blocks. Guard Justin Hohn recorded a season-best 21 points, shooting 6-13 from the field, including 4-6 three-pointers with 5-5 from the free throw line. The graduate student had six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Forward Devin Tillis was a perfect 6-6 from the floor and 2-2 from the line for 15 points to go with a season-tying 11 rebounds, his second double-double of the season.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
The Anteaters have been sharp at the free throw line this season with 84 makes in 103 attempts and leads the Big West in free throw percentage (0.816) which is also the nation's ninth best shooting clip at the line. UC Irvine went a perfect 14-14 at the charity stripe on Nov. 16, their first game where they did not miss a shot at the line since their 11-11 performance at Duquesne (Nov. 29, 2023).
THIS JUST-IN!
Justin Hohn is a UC Irvine squad leader with 68 total points and 13.6 points per game scoring. The graduate student has 45 double figure scoring games in his career, the most of any player on the Anteater squad, Hohn reached 900 career points in his 19-point performance on March 15th versus Long Beach State and is 15 away from eclipsing the 1,000-mark. The guard leads the Anteaters in both assists (17) and steals (10).
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Devin Tillis is a threat both on offense and defense for the Anteaters. The forward coverts at a high rate from the floor (29-37, 0.784) and has four double digit scoring games on the season. Additionally, Tillis is second on the squad in rebounds with 44 total (8.8 rpg). Tillis also leads all Anteaters with eight career double-doubles posting back-to-back double figure efforts against Pepperdine (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and at Weber State (15 pts., 11 rebs.).
THE ANDRE SPECIAL
Andre Henry has helped the Anteaters get it done on both ends of the court this season. From the field, Henry is shooting at a high percentage, 18-41 (0.439) and is a top shooter at the free throw line with his seven makes (7-8, 0.875). The graduate student has stolen the ball from opponents six times.
THE GERMAN PAINTER
Bent Leuchten dominates at the post or in the paint whether it is scoring baskets or grabbing the ball off the glass. The center is the team's leader off the glass, averaging 10.4 rebounds a game in four contests played, and helps pace the scoring at 17 points per game. Leuchten has posted double-figure scoring games in four games this year, the latest at Weber State (Nov. 22) where he put up 29 points.
CHE-SANITY
At the top of the formation for the Anteaters, Myles Che leads the distribution effort with his 10 total assists. Che adds to the scoring effort with his 7.6 points per game and recorded his first double digit scoring game in an Anteater uniform at Northern Iowa on Nov. 10 with his ten points. The guard is coming off his second double figure scoring effort this weekend with 11 points against Pepperdine behind a career best 8-8 (1.000) from the charity stripe. Che dons the number 77, an ode to Jeremy Lin's number 7.
SWAT TEAM
Junior transfer Kyle Evans has registered multiple blocks in back-to-back contests, totaling six over five contests. His five swats at the rim rank fifth in the Big West. The forward had a career best performance against the Panthers on Nov. 10 with his first double figure performance with 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and matched that with a 10-point game at Weber State (Nov. 22).
PUT IT IN THE PAINT
UCI has outscored their opponents by 56 points when scoring in the paint (UCI 194, Opp. 138). The Anteaters average 37.5 points in the paint per game and have scored 40 or more points in three games so far (Chapman--42, Northern Iowa--48, and Weber State--44).
TEN'S ALL AROUND
Through five games in the season, Bent Leuchten has scored at least 10 or more points or pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds in each of the four contests to average a double-double at 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, Leuchten's career best 15 grabs off the glass are an Anteater first in the 15-19 rebounds in a game category since Collin Welp pulled down 19 on the road at LMU on Dec. 17, 2020.
OLD RELIABLE
With a veteran team that has won multiple championships in the last few seasons, three UC Irvine veteran starters are averaging double figures. Bent Leuchten leads the way with 17, Devin Tillis next at 14.4, and Justin Hohn right behind at 13.6. Andre Henry is close to double figure scoring with his 9.4 points per game.
KENPOM LEADERS
Out of 2329 eligible players, Devin Tillis is first in both true shooting percentage (87.2), first in effective field goal percentage (85.5), 22nd in two-point percentage (0.792), and 23rd in defensive rebound percentage (29.8) while Bent Leuchten is 17th in defensive rebound percentage (30.9) and 40th in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (7.5). Out of 364 teams, UC Irvine ranks first in offensive rebound percentage defense (16.1), second in free throw percentage offense (85.7), 13th in free throw attempt/field goal attempt defense (21.6), 17th in three-point percentage offense (40.8), 23rd in two-point percentage defense (42.5), 32nd in minutes continuity (56.7), 43rd in free throw percentage defense (65.4), and 44th in adjusted efficiency defense (97.2).
LEADING THE NATION
In the NCAA last week (Nov. 18-24), a few players ranked first in their respective categories: Devin Tillis in field goal percentage (1.000) and both Justin Hohn and Kyle Evans in free throw percentage (1.000).
LEADING THE BIG WEST
Several Anteaters sit in the top ten of the Big West individual statistical rankings: scoring (6th, 17.0--Leuchten), rebounds per game (1st, 10.4--Leuchten and 2nd, 8.8--Tillis), field goal percentage (1st, 0.784--Tillis), assists (6th, 3.4--Hohn), blocks (5th, 1.2--Evans and 7th, 1.0--Leuchten), and steals (5th, 2.0--Hohn).
NATIONAL STATISTICS THROUGH 11.26.24
UC Irvine is ranked top 50 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (8th--31.60), free throw percentage (9th--81.6), rebound margin (27th--10.2), three-point percentage (33rd--39.3), scoring defense (34th--62.4), scoring margin (40th--17.8), rebounds per game (47th--41.0), and field goal percentage defense (49th--38.7).
UC Irvine vs. Towson
Saturday, Nov. 30 | 6:30 p.m. PT
VisitLethbridge.com Arena | Lethbridge, Alberta
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | UC Irvine Game Notes | Towson Game Notes
ABOUT TOWSON
> Towson finished their 2023-24 campaign with a 20-14 overall record, 11-77 in the Coastal Athletic Association
> The Tigers dropped 61-56 in the CAA semifinals to eventual champion College of Charleston
> Towson collected a notable 81-71 victory over UMASS a year ago
> After the completion of the 2023-24 season, the Tigers lost All-CAA Third Team and All-CAA Defensive Team player in Charles Thompson
> On the other hand, Towson returns both Tyler Tejada (program's first CAA Rookie of the Year) and Dylan Williamson (All-CAA Rookie Team)
> In the preseason, Tejada was placed on the All-CAA First Team, Christian May on the All-CAA Second Team, and Tejada was named an Honorable Mention
> Towson enters the contest with a 4-4 overall record and came to the tournament on a three-game win streak
> The Tigers dropped their first two games of the Western Slam to Kent State (65-54) and Kennesaw State (67-63 OT)
> Towson has three players averaging double figure scoring through eight games
> Williamson leads the offense with 15.1 points per game (121 total) and has made and taken the most three-pointers (22-49, 0.449)
> Tejada is next up with his 14.7 points, only done over three games
> Nendah Tarke rounds out the double figure scoring with his 12 points per game
> Tarke has made the most trips to the free throw line, 34-51, where he is shooting at a 66.7 and also leads the Tigers with 5.5 rebounds per game and 16 assists
> Mekhi Lowery is a competitor off the glass with a team high 6.9 boards per game (55) total and shares the team lead of 16 assists
NICE TO MEET YOU
UCI has not met Towson in program history. The Tigers are one of four teams on UCI's schedule that the Anteaters have not faced before with the others being Northern Iowa, Kennesaw State, and Belmont. UC Irvine is 5-1 over the last two seasons when facing an opponent for the first time and 2-0 in 2024-25.
TOP SHELF
Saturday's contest between UC Irvine and Towson will pit two successful mid-major programs against each other. The Anteaters were picked to finish atop the Big West league standings while the Tigers were selected to finish first in the Coastal Athletic Association.
DEFENSIVE BATTLE
For the second consecutive game, UC Irvine will face a top 50 nationally ranked defense in Towson. From the field, the Tigers are 36th in scoring defense as they hold their opponents to 63.6 points per game and from long range they are 37th in three-point percentage defense (0272). The Anteaters are 11th in the nation in scoring defense (58.6).
SHARP SHOOTER
Devin Tillis has sharp vision when he puts the ball up for a shot at any distance on the floor. The forward connects at a hot 74.5 (38-51) percent from the field which stands as the fourth best clip in the NCAA after the completion of Friday Nov. 29 games. Tillis also leads the three-point shooting for the Anteaters at a 61.5 rate (8-13).
CHASING 1K
Graduate student Justin Hohn enters Saturday's meeting with Towson sitting at 994 career points, just six away from the 1,000-career scorer's milestone. Hohn would become the 33rd Anteater to accomplish this feat in a UC Irvine uniform, the first since Dawson Baker at the completion of the 2022-23 campaign.
CAREER LEADER BOARD WATCH
With 140 made three-pointers in his career, graduate student Justin Hohn ranks 15th in the career made three-pointers leader board and is two three-pointers away from catching Travis Souza (2011-15) and Scott Brooks (1985-87) for 14th with 142.
GRITTY DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE LIFTS UCI TO 51-39 WIN OVER KENT STATE
Gritty Anteater defense along with a dominating offensive performance from Bent Leuchten led UC Irvine to a 51-39 victory over Kent State Friday evening. The center poured in a game high 17 points where he shot 4-6 (0.667) from the field and a game high 9-11 (0.818) from the free throw line. Leuchten pulled down eight boards, recorded two steals, assisted on a basket, and blocked a shot. UCI, who ranks 26th in the NCAA in scoring defense, limited the Golden Flashes offense to a season low 39 points. The last time the Anteaters limited a Division I opponent to fewer than 40 points was in the 63-37 triumph of UC Riverside on February 15, 2006. In back-to-back games, UC Irvine has held their opponents to under 20 percent from three-point range as Kent State went 4-27 (0.148) from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Golden Flashes shot 22.6 percent from the floor (14-62), a season low from an Anteater opponent.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
The Anteaters have been sharp at the free throw line this season with 109 makes in 134 attempts and leads the Big West in free throw percentage (0.813) which is also the nation's ninth best shooting clip at the line. UC Irvine went a perfect 14-14 at the charity stripe on Nov. 16, their first game where they did not miss a shot at the line since their 11-11 performance at Duquesne (Nov. 29, 2023). UCI shot a season low 6-9 from the charity stripe on Nov. 28 in the win over Kennesaw State.
THIS JUST-IN!
Justin Hohn is a UC Irvine squad leader with 77 total points and 11.0 points per game scoring. The graduate student has 45 double figure scoring games in his career, the most of any player on the Anteater squad, Hohn reached 900 career points in his 19-point performance on March 15th versus Long Beach State and is six away from eclipsing the 1,000-mark. The guard leads the Anteaters in both assists (27) and steals (11).
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Devin Tillis is a threat both on offense and defense for the Anteaters. The forward coverts at a high rate from the floor (38-51, 0.745) and has five double digit scoring games on the season. Additionally, Tillis is second on the squad in rebounds with 59 total (8.4 rpg). Tillis also leads all Anteaters with eight career double-doubles posting back-to-back double figure efforts against Pepperdine (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and at Weber State (15 pts., 11 rebs.).
THE ANDRE SPECIAL
Andre Henry has helped the Anteaters get it done on both ends of the court this season. From the field, Henry is shooting at a high percentage, 25-61 (0.410) and is a top shooter at the free throw line with his 11 makes (11-12, 0.917). The graduate student has stolen the ball from opponents 10 times.
THE GERMAN PAINTER
Bent Leuchten dominates at the post or in the paint whether it is scoring baskets or grabbing the ball off the glass. The center is the team's leader off the glass, averaging 9.4 rebounds a game in seven contests played, and helps pace the scoring at 16.0 points per game. Leuchten has posted double-figure scoring games in six games this year, the latest vs. Kent State (Nov. 29) where he put up 17 points.
CHE-SANITY
At the top of the formation for the Anteaters, Myles Che helps lead the distribution effort with his 13 total assists. Che adds to the scoring effort with his 7.4 points per game and recorded his first double digit scoring game in an Anteater uniform at Northern Iowa on Nov. 10 with his ten points. The guard is coming off his second double figure scoring effort this weekend with 11 points against Pepperdine behind a career best 8-8 (1.000) from the charity stripe. Che dons the number 77, an ode to Jeremy Lin's number 7.
SWAT TEAM
Junior transfer Kyle Evans has registered multiple blocks in back-to-back contests, totaling 10 over seven contests. His 10 swats at the rim rank fourth in the Big West. The forward had a career best performance against the Panthers on Nov. 10 with his first double figure performance with 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and matched that with a 10-point game at Weber State (Nov. 22).
PUT IT IN THE PAINT
UCI has outscored their opponents by 74 points when scoring in the paint (UCI 260, Opp. 186). The Anteaters average 37.14 points in the paint per game and have scored 40 or more points in four games so far (Chapman--42, Northern Iowa--48, Weber State--44, Kennesaw State--44).
TEN'S ALL AROUND
Through seven games in the season, Bent Leuchten has scored at least 10 or more points or pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds in each of the six contests to average a near double-double at 16.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, Leuchten's career best 15 grabs off the glass against Pepperdine are an Anteater first in the 15-19 rebounds in a game category since Collin Welp pulled down 19 on the road at LMU on Dec. 17, 2020.
OLD RELIABLE
With a veteran team that has won multiple championships in the last few seasons, three UC Irvine veteran starters are averaging double figures. Bent Leuchten leads the way with 16, Devin Tillis next at 13.6, and Justin Hohn right behind at 110. Andre Henry is close to double figure scoring with his 9.4 points per game.
KENPOM LEADERS
Out of 2335 eligible players, Devin Tillis is first in true shooting percentage (82.4), first in effective field goal percentage (81.1), 21st in two-point percentage (0.788), and 31st in defensive rebound percentage (28.1). Bent Leuchten is 20th in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (7.7). Myles Che joins the duo with his 47th rank in free throw percentage (0.929). Out of 364 teams, UC Irvine ranks second in offensive rebound percentage defense (18.7), second in free throw percentage offense (84.2), seventh in adjusted efficiency defense (92.9), seventh in two-point percentage defense (41.0), ninth in free throw attempt/field goal attempt defense (21.1), 11th in effective field goal percentage defense (41.9), and 33rd in minutes continuity (56.7).
LEADING THE BIG WEST
Several Anteaters sit in the top ten of the Big West individual statistical rankings: scoring (8th, 16.0--Leuchten), rebounds per game (1st, 9.4--Leuchten and 4th, 8.4--Tillis), field goal percentage (1st, 0.745--Tillis), free throw percentage (10th, 0.776--Leuchten), assists (4th, 3.9--Hohn), blocks (4th, 1.4--Evans and 7th, 1.0--Leuchten), and steals (7th, 1.6--Hohn).
NATIONAL STATISTICS THROUGH 11.29.24
UC Irvine is ranked top 50 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7th--32.00), free throw percentage (9th--0.813), field goal percentage defense (10th--0.358), scoring defense (11th--58.6), rebound margin (24th--10.0), scoring margin (37th--16.9), rebounds per game (41st--41.14), and assists per game (48th--16.7).
UC Irvine vs. Kent State
Friday, Nov. 29 | 6:30 p.m. PT
VisitLethbridge.com Arena | Lethbridge, Alberta
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | UC Irvine Game Notes | Kent State Game Notes
ABOUT KENT STATE
> Kent State finished their 2023-24 campaign with a 17-17 overall record, 8-10 in the Mid-American Conference
> The Golden Flashes made it to the MAC Championship last season where they fell 72-61 the Akron Zips after winning the tournament title a year prior (2022-23)
> KSU collected a notable 79-76 victory over UNC Asheville a year ago
> In the new season Kent State brings in five transfers to the program: Anthony Morales (Boston U), Cian Medley (Saint Louis), Marquis Barnett (Presbyterian), Morgan Safford (Miami OH), and Jamal Sumlin (Northwest Florida State College)
> Kent State enters the contest with a 5-1 overall with their lone loss coming to then No. 5 Auburn, 79-56
> The Golden Flashes, the winners of three straight games, opened the Western Slam with an 11-point (65-54) victory over Towson
> KSU was picked to finish third in the MAC behind Ohio and Akron while earning All-MAC Preseason First Team honors for VonCameron Davis and All-MAC Preseason Second Team nods for Jalen Sullinger
> Davis leads the scoring for the Golden Flashes at 16.3 points per game (98 total) on 32-67 shooting from the floor (32-67) and a team high 47.1 percent (8-17) from three-point range
> Additionally, Davis has made the most trips to the free throw line where he is shooting 92.9 percent only missing two of his attempts (26-28)
> Safford rounds out the double figure scoring at 11 points per game with a team best 12 made triples
> Sullinger is close to averaging double digit scoring at 9.5 points per game and is a team leader in both assists (15) and steals (6)
> Hornbeak connects a Kent State best 63.3 percent of his shots from the floor, 19-30, and grabs 7.2 rebounds per game (43 total)
> Morales supports the offense with 6.5 points per game at a 0.536 (15-28) clip
> Medley leads the attack with his team best 19 assists
STOUT DEFENSE
The game between Kent State and UC Irvine pits together two strong defensive teams. The Anteaters defense holds a 61.8 point scoring defense, 26th nationally, and has held four opponents under 60 points a game with the last versus Kennesaw State. The Golden Flashes defense ranks 32nd in the NCAA at 62.8 points per game.
SECOND UNIT SUPPORT
UC Irvine's second unit provided the energetic surge needed to pull off the 15-point victory over Kennesaw State in the opening day game of the Western Slam. Guard Jurian Dixon brought the Anteater offense alive with a team high 11 points on 5-5 shooting from the field which included a three-pointer at the halftime intermission and finished with a career high 15 points. Kyle Evans stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, six rebounds, an assist, and a block. Langston Redfield dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds while Ofure Ujadughele recorded three assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Torian Lee added disruption on defense with his quick hands.
SHARING IS CARING
In the win over Kennesaw State, the Anteaters dished out a season high 24 assists on 32 made baskets. Both Justin Hohn and Langston Redfield tied their season bests recorded just a game prior at Weber State with six and four, respectively. UC Irvine is averaging 17.7 assists per game which tops the Big West and ranks 33rd in the NCAA.
SHARP SHOOTER
Devin Tillis has sharp vision when he puts the ball up for a shot at any distance on the floor. The forward connects at a hot 77.8 (35-45) percent from the field which stands as the fourth best clip in the NCAA after the completion of Thursday Nov. 28 games. Tillis also leads the three-point shooting for the Anteaters at a 72.7 rate (8-11).
CHASING 1K
Graduate student Justin Hohn enters Friday's meeting with Kent State sitting at 988 career points, just 12 away from the 1,000-career scorer's milestone. Hohn would become the 33rd Anteater to accomplish this feat in a UC Irvine uniform, the first since Dawson Baker at the completion of the 2022-23 campaign.
CAREER LEADER BOARD WATCH
With 140 made three-pointers in his career, graduate student Justin Hohn ranks 15th in the career made three-pointers leader board and is two three-pointers away from catching Travis Souza (2011-15) and Scott Brooks (1985-87) for 14th with 142.
ANTEATER TRIO LEADS UCI TO 93-87 VICTORY AT WEBER STATE
UC Irvine opened the Western Slam with a dominating 76-59 victory over Kennesaw State inside the VisitLethbridge.com Arena early Thursday evening. The Anteaters shot over 50 percent in both halves to finish 32-62 (0.516) from the floor. UCI had four players finish in double figures led by forward Devin Tillis's 15 points on 6-8 shooting from the floor, 2-3 from three-point range. The redshirt senior also chipped in four rebounds and three assists. Redshirt freshman Jurian Dixon also finished with a career-best 15 points on an efficient 87.5 percent (7-8) from the floor including a triple. Andre Henry muscled his way to 13 points in the contest as he went 5-9 in the field, pulled down four rebounds, dished out two assists, and stole the ball three times.
Center Bent Leuchten rounded out the double figure scoring with his 10 points (4-6) and grabbed a game high six rebounds. The Owls, who are in the top national team rankings in rebounding and three-point shooting, lost the glass advantage (41-32) and were held to a season low 4-23 (0.174) mark beyond the arc.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
The Anteaters have been sharp at the free throw line this season with 90 makes in 112 attempts and leads the Big West in free throw percentage (0.804) which is also the nation's 14th best shooting clip at the line. UC Irvine went a perfect 14-14 at the charity stripe on Nov. 16, their first game where they did not miss a shot at the line since their 11-11 performance at Duquesne (Nov. 29, 2023). UCI shot a season low 6-9 from the charity stripe on Nov. 28 in the win over Kennesaw State.
THIS JUST-IN!
Justin Hohn is a UC Irvine squad leader with 71 total points and 11.8 points per game scoring. The graduate student has 45 double figure scoring games in his career, the most of any player on the Anteater squad, Hohn reached 900 career points in his 19-point performance on March 15th versus Long Beach State and is 15 away from eclipsing the 1,000-mark. The guard leads the Anteaters in both assists (23) and steals (11).
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Devin Tillis is a threat both on offense and defense for the Anteaters. The forward coverts at a high rate from the floor (35-45, 0.778) and has five double digit scoring games on the season. Additionally, Tillis is second on the squad in rebounds with 48 total (8.0 rpg). Tillis also leads all Anteaters with eight career double-doubles posting back-to-back double figure efforts against Pepperdine (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and at Weber State (15 pts., 11 rebs.).
THE ANDRE SPECIAL
Andre Henry has helped the Anteaters get it done on both ends of the court this season. From the field, Henry is shooting at a high percentage, 23-50 (0.460) and is a top shooter at the free throw line with his nine makes (9-10, 0.900). The graduate student has stolen the ball from opponents nine times.
THE GERMAN PAINTER
Bent Leuchten dominates at the post or in the paint whether it is scoring baskets or grabbing the ball off the glass. The center is the team's leader off the glass, averaging 9.7 rebounds a game in four contests played, and helps pace the scoring at 15.8 points per game. Leuchten has posted double-figure scoring games in five games this year, the latest vs. Kennesaw State (Nov. 28) where he put up 10 points.
CHE-SANITY
At the top of the formation for the Anteaters, Myles Che helps lead the distribution effort with his 12 total assists. Che adds to the scoring effort with his 7.7 points per game and recorded his first double digit scoring game in an Anteater uniform at Northern Iowa on Nov. 10 with his ten points. The guard is coming off his second double figure scoring effort this weekend with 11 points against Pepperdine behind a career best 8-8 (1.000) from the charity stripe. Che dons the number 77, an ode to Jeremy Lin's number 7.
SWAT TEAM
Junior transfer Kyle Evans has registered multiple blocks in back-to-back contests, totaling seven over six contests. His six swats at the rim rank fifth in the Big West. The forward had a career best performance against the Panthers on Nov. 10 with his first double figure performance with 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and matched that with a 10-point game at Weber State (Nov. 22).
PUT IT IN THE PAINT
UCI has outscored their opponents by 72 points when scoring in the paint (UCI 238, Opp. 166). The Anteaters average 39.7 points in the paint per game and have scored 40 or more points in four games so far (Chapman--42, Northern Iowa--48, Weber State--44, Kennesaw State--44).
TEN'S ALL AROUND
Through six games in the season, Bent Leuchten has scored at least 10 or more points or pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds in each of the six contests to average a near double-double at 15.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Additionally, Leuchten's career best 15 grabs off the glass are an Anteater first in the 15-19 rebounds in a game category since Collin Welp pulled down 19 on the road at LMU on Dec. 17, 2020.
OLD RELIABLE
With a veteran team that has won multiple championships in the last few seasons, four UC Irvine veteran starters are averaging double figures. Bent Leuchten leads the way with 15.8, Devin Tillis next at 14.5, Justin Hohn at 11.8, and Andre Henry rounding it out with his 10.
KENPOM LEADERS
Out of 2329 eligible players, Devin Tillis is first in true shooting percentage (86.5), first in effective field goal percentage (85.9), 18th in two-point percentage (0.792), and 50th in defensive rebound percentage (26.8). Bent Leuchten is 27th in defensive rebound percentage (28.8). Myles Che joins the duo with his 46th rank in free throw percentage (0.929). Out of 364 teams, UC Irvine ranks first in offensive rebound percentage defense (17.3), second in free throw percentage offense (83.5), ninth in free throw attempt/field goal attempt defense (21.5), 26th in two-point percentage defense (43.2), 31st in adjusted efficiency defense (95.9), and 32nd in minutes continuity (56.7).
LEADING THE BIG WEST
Several Anteaters sit in the top ten of the Big West individual statistical rankings: scoring (8th, 15.8--Leuchten), rebounds per game (1st, 9.7--Leuchten and 4th, 8.0--Tillis), field goal percentage (1st, 0.778--Tillis), assists (4th, 3.8--Hohn), blocks (5th, 1.2--Evans and 7th, 1.0--Leuchten), and steals (5th, 1.8--Hohn and 9th, 1.5--Henry).
NATIONAL STATISTICS THROUGH 11.28.24
UC Irvine is ranked top 50 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7th--31.83), free throw percentage (14th--0.804), rebound margin (25th--10.0), scoring defense (26th--61.8), assists per game (33rd--17.7), scoring margin (35th--17.7), field goal percentage defense (37th--0.381), and rebounds per game (43rd--41.0).
UC Irvine vs. Kennesaw State
Thursday, Nov. 28 | 4:30 p.m. PT
VisitLethbridge.com Arena | Lethbridge, Alberta
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | UC Irvine Game Notes | Kennesaw State Game Notes
ABOUT KENNESAW STATE
> Kennesaw State finished their 2023-24 campaign with a 15-16 overall record, 6-10 in the Atlantic Sun
> The Owls, whose season came to an end in the ASUN First Round, recently made the conference change over to Conference USA (C-USA) starting in the 2024-25 year
> KSU collected a notable 79-76 victory over UNC Asheville a year ago
> Much like UC Irvine, Kennesaw State made their first NCAA Appearance as a Division I school in 2022-23 as they took both the ASUN regular season and tournament titles
> The Owls lost significant players Terrell Burden (NABC All-District Second Team and All-ASUN Second Team) and RJ Johnson (All-ASUN Freshman Team) during the offseason
> Kennesaw State enters the contest with a 5-1 overall record and are coming off a 79-77 upset of No. 24 Rutgers
> The victory over the Scarlet Knights gave the Owls their first 5-1 start in program history and their first ever win over an AP Top 25 team
> KSU has four players scoring double figures through six games led by Simeon Cottle with 18.2 points per game (109 total)
> Cottle ranks 13th nationally in free throw percentage (28-29, 0.966) and is second on the team with 23 assists
> Adrian Wooley has scored 86 total points on 30-57 shooting from the field (0.526) for 14.3 points per game
> Wooley is the Owls top distributor with 26 assists and has eight steals so far this season
> Cottle and Wooley have made the most three-pointers for KSU with 21 (21-48, 0.438) and 12 (12-30, 0.429), respectively
> Jamil Miller averages 11.7 points per game while connecting 60.0 percent of his shots (24-40)
> Braedan Lue rounds out the double figure scoring at 11 points per game and pulls down a team leading 7.5 rebounds per game (45 total)
> Ricardo Wright is close to averaging double digits at 9.5 points per game (57 total)
O CANADA!
UC Irvine heads into Lethbridge, Alberta for three games in the Western Slam from Nov. 28-30. The games will the program's first ever games played in Canada. The Anteaters have a current connection to Canada with freshman Torian Lee, a Surrey, British Columbia resident, who played on the Canadian U18 National Team this summer. Under head coach Russell Turner's tenure, he graduated another Canadian in Adam Folker (Markham, Ontario), a two-time Big West Hustle Award recipient.
ROAD WARRIORS
Starting Nov. 22, UC Irvine will play nine of their next ten games away from their home floor. The Anteaters will play at least four games on either side of the home contest on Dec. 5 where they will face Weber State, Kennesaw State, Kent State, and Towson (Nov. 22, Nov 28-30) on the front end and Oregon State, Belmont, Duquesne, California Baptist, and Cal Poly (Dec. 14, Dec. 19, Dec. 21, Dec. 30, Jan. 2). It could be extended out to 11 of their next 13 games with two more road contests after a Jan. 4 meeting with UC Riverside.
POLL POSITION
UC Irvine remains ranked third in CollegeInsider.com's Mid Major poll for the second consecutive week. The Anteaters have remained in the top 5 for the last three weeks. In T3 Bracketology's weekly poll the Anteaters ranked second, 15th in Mid-Major Madness's weekly release, and moved up to 15th in Mid Major Basketball's rankings.
NICE TO MEET YOU
UCI has not met Kennesaw State in program history. The Owls are one of four teams on UCI's schedule that the Anteaters have not faced before with the others being Northern Iowa, Towson, and Belmont. UC Irvine is 4-1 over the last two seasons when facing an opponent for the first time and 1-0 in 2024-25 with the 80-60 victory at UNI.
BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
Two strong rebounding teams in Kennesaw State and UC Irvine go head-to-head on Thursday Nov. 28. The Owls average 47.2 rebounds per game to the Anteaters 41 and both teams hold a double figure rebounding margin over their opponents, 15 and 10.2, respectively. KSU is top 10 nationally in rebounds per game (2nd--47.2), rebound margin (3rd--15), offensive rebounds per game (8th--1583), and defensive rebounds per game (9th--31.33). UCI is eighth in the nation in defensive rebounds per game, 27th in margin, and 47th in rebounds per game.
GOING FOR THREE
The contest between the Anteaters and the Owls can turn into a three-point shootout as both squads are ranked top 50 in the NCAA in various categories. UC Irvine is 33rd in three-point percentage (0.393) while Kennesaw State is 25th in three-pointers made per game (10.7) and 40th in three-pointers attempted per game (28.8).
DOUBLE DOSE
In the win at Weber State both Bent Leuchten and Devin Tillis recorded double-doubles. Leucthen powered the offense behind a season high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Tillis contributed 15 points and 11 boards. Both players have two double-doubles now on the season, the last at LMU (Nov. 8) for Leuchten and versus Pepperdine (Nov. 16) for Tillis.
CHASING 1K
Graduate student Justin Hohn enters Thursday's meeting with Kennesaw State sitting at 985 career points, just 15 away from the 1,000-career scorer's milestone. Hohn would become the 33rd Anteater to accomplish this feat in a UC Irvine uniform, the first since Dawson Baker at the completion of the 2022-23 campaign.
CAREER LEADER BOARD WATCH
With 140 made three-pointers in his career, graduate student Justin Hohn ranks 15th in the career made three-pointers leader board and is two three-pointers away from catching Travis Souza (2011-15) and Scott Brooks (1985-87) for 14th with 142.
ANTEATER TRIO LEADS UCI TO 93-87 VICTORY AT WEBER STATE
Center Bent Leuchten poured in 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in UC Irvine's 93-87 victory over Weber State on Friday evening at the Dee Events Center. The free throw line was important as UCI went 22-27 (0.815) for the game, including 8-9 in the final minute, while Weber State was 13-25 (0.520). In a closely contested game, UCI went on a 12-0 run in a three-minute spurt late in the game to help secure the victory. Leuchten went 9-18 from the floor and 10-14 from the line for his season-high 29 points. He shared the team lead in rebounds, pulling down 11, for his second career double-double, and had three blocks. Guard Justin Hohn recorded a season-best 21 points, shooting 6-13 from the field, including 4-6 three-pointers with 5-5 from the free throw line. The graduate student had six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Forward Devin Tillis was a perfect 6-6 from the floor and 2-2 from the line for 15 points to go with a season-tying 11 rebounds, his second double-double of the season.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
The Anteaters have been sharp at the free throw line this season with 84 makes in 103 attempts and leads the Big West in free throw percentage (0.816) which is also the nation's ninth best shooting clip at the line. UC Irvine went a perfect 14-14 at the charity stripe on Nov. 16, their first game where they did not miss a shot at the line since their 11-11 performance at Duquesne (Nov. 29, 2023).
THIS JUST-IN!
Justin Hohn is a UC Irvine squad leader with 68 total points and 13.6 points per game scoring. The graduate student has 45 double figure scoring games in his career, the most of any player on the Anteater squad, Hohn reached 900 career points in his 19-point performance on March 15th versus Long Beach State and is 15 away from eclipsing the 1,000-mark. The guard leads the Anteaters in both assists (17) and steals (10).
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Devin Tillis is a threat both on offense and defense for the Anteaters. The forward coverts at a high rate from the floor (29-37, 0.784) and has four double digit scoring games on the season. Additionally, Tillis is second on the squad in rebounds with 44 total (8.8 rpg). Tillis also leads all Anteaters with eight career double-doubles posting back-to-back double figure efforts against Pepperdine (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and at Weber State (15 pts., 11 rebs.).
THE ANDRE SPECIAL
Andre Henry has helped the Anteaters get it done on both ends of the court this season. From the field, Henry is shooting at a high percentage, 18-41 (0.439) and is a top shooter at the free throw line with his seven makes (7-8, 0.875). The graduate student has stolen the ball from opponents six times.
THE GERMAN PAINTER
Bent Leuchten dominates at the post or in the paint whether it is scoring baskets or grabbing the ball off the glass. The center is the team's leader off the glass, averaging 10.4 rebounds a game in four contests played, and helps pace the scoring at 17 points per game. Leuchten has posted double-figure scoring games in four games this year, the latest at Weber State (Nov. 22) where he put up 29 points.
CHE-SANITY
At the top of the formation for the Anteaters, Myles Che leads the distribution effort with his 10 total assists. Che adds to the scoring effort with his 7.6 points per game and recorded his first double digit scoring game in an Anteater uniform at Northern Iowa on Nov. 10 with his ten points. The guard is coming off his second double figure scoring effort this weekend with 11 points against Pepperdine behind a career best 8-8 (1.000) from the charity stripe. Che dons the number 77, an ode to Jeremy Lin's number 7.
SWAT TEAM
Junior transfer Kyle Evans has registered multiple blocks in back-to-back contests, totaling six over five contests. His five swats at the rim rank fifth in the Big West. The forward had a career best performance against the Panthers on Nov. 10 with his first double figure performance with 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and matched that with a 10-point game at Weber State (Nov. 22).
PUT IT IN THE PAINT
UCI has outscored their opponents by 56 points when scoring in the paint (UCI 194, Opp. 138). The Anteaters average 37.5 points in the paint per game and have scored 40 or more points in three games so far (Chapman--42, Northern Iowa--48, and Weber State--44).
TEN'S ALL AROUND
Through five games in the season, Bent Leuchten has scored at least 10 or more points or pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds in each of the four contests to average a double-double at 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, Leuchten's career best 15 grabs off the glass are an Anteater first in the 15-19 rebounds in a game category since Collin Welp pulled down 19 on the road at LMU on Dec. 17, 2020.
OLD RELIABLE
With a veteran team that has won multiple championships in the last few seasons, three UC Irvine veteran starters are averaging double figures. Bent Leuchten leads the way with 17, Devin Tillis next at 14.4, and Justin Hohn right behind at 13.6. Andre Henry is close to double figure scoring with his 9.4 points per game.
KENPOM LEADERS
Out of 2329 eligible players, Devin Tillis is first in both true shooting percentage (87.2), first in effective field goal percentage (85.5), 22nd in two-point percentage (0.792), and 23rd in defensive rebound percentage (29.8) while Bent Leuchten is 17th in defensive rebound percentage (30.9) and 40th in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (7.5). Out of 364 teams, UC Irvine ranks first in offensive rebound percentage defense (16.1), second in free throw percentage offense (85.7), 13th in free throw attempt/field goal attempt defense (21.6), 17th in three-point percentage offense (40.8), 23rd in two-point percentage defense (42.5), 32nd in minutes continuity (56.7), 43rd in free throw percentage defense (65.4), and 44th in adjusted efficiency defense (97.2).
LEADING THE NATION
In the NCAA last week (Nov. 18-24), a few players ranked first in their respective categories: Devin Tillis in field goal percentage (1.000) and both Justin Hohn and Kyle Evans in free throw percentage (1.000).
LEADING THE BIG WEST
Several Anteaters sit in the top ten of the Big West individual statistical rankings: scoring (6th, 17.0--Leuchten), rebounds per game (1st, 10.4--Leuchten and 2nd, 8.8--Tillis), field goal percentage (1st, 0.784--Tillis), assists (6th, 3.4--Hohn), blocks (5th, 1.2--Evans and 7th, 1.0--Leuchten), and steals (5th, 2.0--Hohn).
NATIONAL STATISTICS THROUGH 11.26.24
UC Irvine is ranked top 50 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (8th--31.60), free throw percentage (9th--81.6), rebound margin (27th--10.2), three-point percentage (33rd--39.3), scoring defense (34th--62.4), scoring margin (40th--17.8), rebounds per game (47th--41.0), and field goal percentage defense (49th--38.7).
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Friday, March 27
TISHAN for THREEEE 👌
Thursday, March 26
UCI Men's Basketball | Head Coach Russell Turner | CBS Segment
Monday, March 23
UCI Men's Basketball vs. Cal Poly | 3.5.2026 | Postgame Interview
Friday, March 06
