IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's basketball team earned a season split with CSUB Saturday evening by taking a 76-63 victory at the Bren Event Center.
CSUB defeated UCI by 13 points, 68-55, Wednesday in Bakersfield.
The Roadrunners shot just 29 percent in the first half as Irvine built 33-22 lead. And the cold continued throughout the second half until they made four of their final eight from the field to push their final percentage over 30 for the game.
Junior guard Donavan Bragg (Inglewood/Serra HS) was the bright spot offensively for CSUB, missing his career high by one only point with a game-high 25. It was the third 20-plus point game of his career.
On the flip side, senior forward Trent Blakley (Alta Loma HS), the Roadrunners' most consistent scorer all season, saw his streak of double-figure scoring end at 25 games when he finished with nine. He shot just 1-for-10 from the field. He still had one last chance at his 10th point, but he missed the second of two free throws with 1:05 to play.
The game was close through most of the first half. With the Roadrunners down just 20-17, however, they missed seven of their final eight shots over the final 5:44 to end the first half. Irvine led by 11 at the break and CSUB never got closer than 10 the rest of the way.
CSUB returns to Bakersfield to play its final two home games of the season next week. The Roadrunners host Cal State Northridge Wednesday (Feb. 10) and Big West Conference leading University of the Pacific Saturday (Feb. 13) in Rabobank Arena.
