The Anteaters (24-8 overall, 17-3 Big West) had already clinched the regular-season title and the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament, and their 81-71 win keeps the Titans out of the eight-team field. UCI plays in a semifinal next Friday at 6 p.m.
DJ Brewton and Tory San Antonio score 20 points apiece and the Titans shoot 12 for 27 from 3-point range in a 68-50 victory over the struggling Mustangs.
UC Irvine Pulls off Nail-Biter Against Cal State Fullerton, 75-67 | New University newuniversity.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newuniversity.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The visiting Titans erase a 15-point second-half deficit and briefly take a one-point lead with 2:34 remaining, but UCI closes with a 9-0 run to escape with a 75-67 victory.
Brewton, a graduate transfer who played three seasons at Alcorn State, scores 19 points as the Titans turn back several late challenges from the Fighting Hawks in a 64-54 win.