Irvine Reels In Fullerton

It used to be so boring at UC Irvine, a school with exactly two winning seasons in the last 13 years of men’s basketball.

But times have changed.

UC Irvine began its come-from-behind antics last season and continued the trend Thursday night with a 68-58 victory over Cal State Fullerton in a Big West Conference game before 2,088 at the Bren Events Center.

Irvine struggled throughout with Fullerton’s full-court press and fell behind, 52-45, with 8:37 left.

But the Anteaters (9-4, 2-0 in Big West play) outscored Fullerton, 23-6, the rest of the way.

Irvine shooting guard Mike Hood was scoreless until he made two big shots in the final three minutes, sinking a 15-footer with 2:50 left and following it up with a three-pointer to give Irvine a 58-54 edge with 1:49 left.

“If I got a look, I was going to take a shot,” Hood said. “I got my look and it went in. It felt good.”

Fullerton (3-9, 0-3) couldn’t be feeling any worse.

The Titans lost their first two Big West games by a total of three points and appeared to be in control.

Fullerton was outrebounded, 42-29, and made only 12 of 23 free throws (52.2%).

“They killed us on the boards. That hurts you,” Fullerton Coach Donny Daniels said. “Can’t make a foul shot. That hurts you. Can’t stop them on defense. That hurts you. It all adds up to a 10-point loss.”