Box Score
IRVINE, Calif. -- Top-seeded UC Irvine secured a 66-61 victory over Jacksonville State at Bren Events Center on Sunday, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2025 National Invitational Tournament (NIT). The Anteaters will host UAB at home, Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the next round. It is the furthest a Big West team has gone in the NIT since New Mexico State (1995) and Fresno State (1985) also made it to the quarterfinals.
UC Irvine improves to 30-6 on the year. Combined with UC San Diego (30-5), The Big West now has two 30-win teams on the year, an unprecedented feat in the history of the league. The only other conference to have multiple 30-win teams is the SEC.
The Anteaters led JSU by one point, 36-35, at the end of 20 minutes. The Anteaters stood out by connecting on six 3-pointers. UCI also capitalized on turnovers by scoring 14 points off them in the first half.
UCI outscored the Gamecocks 30-26 in the latter 20 minutes of the game, leading to a strong finish for the five-point victory. In the second half, the Anteaters were efficient from the field, converting 10 of 26 attempts, and made three 3-pointers, including one from the logo from Justin Hohn. Down by two points, 55-53, with six minutes remaining, UCI went on an 11-3 run, ignited by a successful layup and-one free throw from Bent Leuchten, for a 64-58 advantage to put the game away.
Hohn stood out for the Anteaters with a team-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers. Leuchten added 10 points and collected seven rebounds. Myles Che made three 3-pointers resulting in 11 points. Devin Tillis made an impact with two steals and led the team with nine rebounds.