UC Irvine Anteaters Dominate Cal State-Fullerton Titans 86-65 Behind Andre Henry's 19 Points

The UC Irvine Anteaters dominated the Cal State-Fullerton Titans 86-65 in a non-conference matchup at the Bren Events Center, with Andre Henry leading the charge with 19 points. The Anteaters' 21-point margin of victory was a reflection of their strong performance, outscoring the Titans 45-33 in the second half. UC Irvine's record now stands at 17-9, with a NET rank of 129, while Cal State Fullerton falls to 13-14 with a NET rank of 190. The Anteaters have been averaging 75.6 points per game over their last 5 games, allowing 72 points per game, and outscoring their opponents by an average of 3.6 points.

The game was essentially over by halftime, with UC Irvine taking a 41-32 lead into the break. The Anteaters' Harrison Carrington had a strong first half, scoring 12 points and grabbing 4 rebounds, while Jurian Dixon added 10 points and 3 assists. Cal State Fullerton's Landon Seaman was the lone bright spot for the Titans, scoring 10 points in the first half. The Titans have been averaging 81.6 points per game over their last 5 games, allowing 76.2 points per game, and outscoring their opponents by an average of 5.4 points. However, they were unable to keep up with the Anteaters' pace, shooting just 38% from the field in the first half.

The Anteaters' big three of Henry, Carrington, and Dixon were nearly unstoppable, combining for 52 points and 11 rebounds. Henry was particularly clutch, hitting 3 three-pointers in the second half to help put the game out of reach. Carrington was a force on the glass, grabbing 6 rebounds and scoring 18 points. Dixon, meanwhile, was the primary playmaker, dishing out 5 assists and scoring 15 points. For Cal State Fullerton, Seaman's 14 points were not enough to overcome the team's poor shooting and lack of rebounding. The Titans were outrebounded 36-26, with UC Irvine grabbing 10 offensive rebounds.

The CHD Scout prediction of UC Irvine by 8.6 points was correct, as the Anteaters' strong performance led to a 21-point victory.

The prediction was correct because UC Irvine's defense was able to shut down Cal State Fullerton's offense, holding them to just 38% shooting from the field. The Anteaters also outrebounded the Titans by 10, which limited Cal State Fullerton's second-chance opportunities. Additionally, UC Irvine's offense was able to take advantage of Cal State Fullerton's poor defense, shooting 52% from the field and scoring 45 points in the second half. The Anteaters' ability to dominate the paint and control the tempo of the game was a key factor in their victory.

The win for UC Irvine is a significant one, as it improves their record to 17-9 and keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth. The Anteaters have now won 3 of their last 5 games, with their only losses coming to Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara. Cal State Fullerton, on the other hand, has now lost 2 of their last 5 games, and their NET rank of 190 makes it unlikely that they will be considered for an at-large bid.

The loss for Cal State Fullerton is a damaging one, as it drops their record to 13-14 and makes it even more unlikely that they will be considered for a postseason berth. The Titans' Quad 2 loss will not help their resume, and they must win out in their remaining games to have any chance of making the tournament. For UC Irvine, the win is a Quad 4 victory, which will not significantly impact their NET rank. However, the Anteaters' strong performance and dominant victory will certainly help their confidence and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With a NET rank of 129, UC Irvine is still on the outside looking in, but a strong finish to the season could put them in the conversation for a postseason berth.

The Anteaters' recent form has been solid, with wins over Cal State Bakersfield, Hawai'i, and UC San Diego in their last 5 games. Their only losses during that stretch came to Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara, both of which are ranked higher than UC Irvine in the NET rankings. Cal State Fullerton, on the other hand, has been inconsistent, with wins over Long Beach State, Cal State Bakersfield, and UC Riverside, but losses to UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine. The Titans must find a way to become more consistent if they want to make a push for the postseason. With 5 games remaining on their schedule, Cal State Fullerton must win at least 4 of them to have any chance of making the tournament.

The Anteaters' victory over Cal State Fullerton is a significant one, as it keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth and improves their record to 17-9. The win also gives UC Irvine a much-needed confidence boost, as they head into the final stretch of the season. With a strong finish to the season, the Anteaters could put themselves in the conversation for a postseason berth, and a win over Cal State Fullerton is a big step in the right direction. The Anteaters must continue to play strong defense and take advantage of their opponents' weaknesses if they want to make a deep run in the postseason.

In the end, the Anteaters' dominant victory over Cal State Fullerton is a reflection of their strength and depth. With a strong core of players and a solid game plan, UC Irvine is a team to watch in the final stretch of the season. The Anteaters' ability to dominate the paint and control the tempo of the game was a key factor in their victory, and they must continue to do so if they want to make a deep run in the postseason. With a NET rank of 129, UC Irvine is still on the outside looking in, but a strong finish to the season could put them in the conversation for a postseason berth.

HEADLINE: UC Irvine Anteaters Dominate Cal State-Fullerton Titans 86-65 Behind Andre Henry's 19 Points SUBHEADLINE: The Anteaters' 21-point victory improves their record to 17-9 and keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth, with a NET rank of 129 and a 3-2 record over their last 5 games.