Worku scores 18 to help UC Irvine beat Idaho 86-68 in opener
IRVINE, Calif. -- Eyassu Worku had 18 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, and six assists to help UC Irvine beat Idaho 86-68 on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.
John Edgar Jr. added 14 points and Max Hazzard scored 11 for UCI.
A 3-pointer by Jared Rodriguez gave Idaho a 37-32 lead early in the second half before Worku hit a 3 and then assisted on another by Hazzard to cap a 10-4 run that gave the Anteaters a 42-41 lead with 16 minutes to play. Robert Cartwright made a jumper and then hit two free throws to spark an 8-0 spurt that made it a seven-point advantage about five minutes later and the Vandals trailed the rest of the way.
Rodriguez led Idaho with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Cameron Tyson added 17 points.
UCI, which hit just 1 of 11 from behind the arc in the first half, hit 7-of-9 3s while shooting 67.7 percent from the field after the break.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Andy Cohn
- David Gonzales
- Phil White
2023-24 Big Sky Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington | 15-3 | - | 21-11 |
| Montana | 12-6 | 3 | 24-12 |
| Northern Colorado | 12-6 | 3 | 19-14 |
| Weber State | 11-7 | 4 | 20-12 |
| Montana State | 9-9 | 6 | 17-18 |
| Portland State | 8-10 | 7 | 17-15 |
| Northern Arizona | 7-11 | 8 | 14-19 |
| Idaho State | 7-11 | 8 | 14-20 |
| Idaho | 5-13 | 10 | 11-21 |
| Sacramento State | 4-14 | 11 | 10-24 |
2023-24 Big West Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 17-3 | - | 24-10 |
| UC San Diego | 15-5 | 2 | 21-12 |
| UC Davis | 14-6 | 3 | 20-13 |
| Hawai'i | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Long Beach State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-15 |
| UC Riverside | 10-10 | 7 | 16-18 |
| Cal State Northridge | 9-11 | 8 | 19-15 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 9-11 | 8 | 16-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-12 | 9 | 13-19 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 7-13 | 10 | 14-18 |
| Cal Poly | 0-20 | 17 | 4-28 |
Men's College Basketball News
