IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Michael Wilder scored 10 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and hit two key free throws for UC Irvine with 3 seconds left to seal the deal in a 72-69 victory over Big West conference leader Long Beach State on Saturday night.
Alex Young hit two free throws to put the Anteaters up 70-66 with 19 seconds left but Mike Caffey of Long Beach State answered with a 3-pointer, cutting UC Irvine’s lead to one with 4 seconds left, making it 70-69. Keala King fouled Wilder on the inbounds pass and he calmly knocked both down to give UC Irvine (17-13, 10-6 Big West) the win.
Caffey finished with 23 points on five 3-pointers to lead Long Beach State (17-11, 13-3).
Will Davis II had 12 points, five rebounds and eight blocked shots for the Anteaters, breaking Terrance O’Kelley’s record of seven blocks he set against Nevada on Jan. 10, 1994.
