Senior front-line players Stanislav Zuzak and Adam Parada scored
18 points each to lead UC Irvine past Cal State Fullerton, 74-67, in Big
West Conference action before 2,219 at the Bren Events Center Saturday
afternoon.
Zuzak, who was 7 of 12 from the field, added a team-high eight rebounds
as UCI won for the 41st time in its last 48 home games. Parada was
7 of 9 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line.
Sophomore guard Mike Efevberha scored 11 points while sophomore guard
Jeff Gloger tied his career high with nine assists and added seven points
and seven rebounds. The Anteaters had a season-high 22 assists and
10 three-point field goals made. UCI improved to 9-6 overall and
4-2 in the Big West.
Senior center Pape Sow recorded his fifth straight double-double for Cal
State Fullerton (5-9, 1-4) with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Freshman
guard Bobby Brown had 15 points and four assists while junior forward
Yaphett King scored 14 points, including 12 in the second half.
Senior guard Derick Andrew added 10 points.
Fullerton again played without senior wing man Anthony Bolton, who has
been sidelined due to academic deficiencies. His status for the remainder
of the season remains in doubt.
UCI shot 56 percent from the field in building a 38-28 halftime lead as
Zuzak scored 11 points and Parada 10 in the opening 20 minutes.
A jumper by Andrew and a three-point basket from King to start the second
half drew the Titans within 38-33 with 18:42 remaining before consecutive
baskets by Parada and Zuzak put the Anteaters back up by nine and Fullerton
could not get within six points again. UCI's largest lead in the
second half was by 13 points on four occasions.
The Anteaters travel to the Pyramid to face Long Beach State next Saturday
night at 7:35. Cal State Fullerton hosts Utah State Thursday night
at 7:05
