UC Irvine defeated Cal State Bakersfield 78-62 in a Big West Conference matchup on , at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California. The Anteaters, boasting a 16-7 overall record and a 9-2 conference standing, dominated the Roadrunners, who fell to 8-16 overall and 2-10 in Big West play.
The game saw a strong performance from UC Irvine, leading for 68% of the contest and building a maximum lead of 16 points. According to ESPN Analytics, the Anteaters maintained a consistent advantage throughout the second half, ultimately securing a comfortable victory. The Roadrunners struggled with field goal percentage, converting only 35% of their attempts (22 of 62), while UC Irvine managed a 41% success rate (29 of 70).
Ronald Jessamy of Cal State Bakersfield led his team in scoring with 18 points, achieving 7 field goals out of 15 attempts and converting all four of his free throw opportunities. Kyle Evans also contributed 16 points for the Roadrunners, making 8 of 11 field goal attempts, despite missing his only free throw. Jessamy also led the team in rebounds with 12, including 7 defensive rebounds and 5 offensive rebounds.
For UC Irvine, Kyle Waller topped the scoring charts with 16 points, while Kevin Evans added 12. Harrison Carrington secured 8 rebounds, with 4 defensive and 4 offensive. The Anteaters demonstrated a strong presence on the boards, outrebounding the Roadrunners 44-26.
Key moments in the game included a driving layup and a successful free throw by Tama Isaac for UC Irvine. However, the Roadrunners’ Bentley Waller missed a 34-foot three-point attempt. Pierre Geneste Jr. Of Cal State Bakersfield contributed a 7-foot hook shot, but Derin Saran of UC Irvine missed a 25-foot three-pointer. The game featured a series of missed shots and turnovers from both sides, with UC Irvine committing 19 turnovers compared to Bakersfield’s 7.
The officiating crew consisted of Randy McCall, Tony Padilla and Eric Curry. The game was broadcast on ESPN+, reaching a wider audience beyond the confines of the Bren Events Center. Win probability data, as calculated by ESPN Analytics, consistently favored UC Irvine throughout the entirety of the game.
Pierre Geneste Jr., a senior center for Cal State Bakersfield, stands at 6-11 and weighs 220 pounds. He hails from Port-au-Prince and is a key player for the Roadrunners. He recorded a rebound defense during the game. His presence in the paint provided some challenge for the Anteaters, but ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome UC Irvine’s overall performance.
The Roadrunners’ shooting struggles were particularly evident from beyond the arc, where they managed only 3 of 11 three-point attempts (27%). UC Irvine fared slightly better, making 2 of 15 three-point shots (13%). However, the Anteaters’ superior free throw shooting (15 of 16, 94%) proved crucial in extending their lead.
The game highlights included a three-point shot made by Mike Price for UC Irvine, assisted by Pierre Geneste Jr. Tama Isaac also contributed with an 11-foot floating jump shot. However, Ronald Jessamy missed a 18-foot pullup jump shot, and Kyle Evans missed a 14-foot floating jump shot. These missed opportunities underscored the offensive challenges faced by Cal State Bakersfield.
The victory strengthens UC Irvine’s position in the Big West Conference standings, solidifying their status as a contender for the conference championship. For Cal State Bakersfield, the loss represents a setback in their efforts to improve their standing in the league. The Roadrunners will need to address their shooting inconsistencies and rebounding deficiencies to compete more effectively in future conference games.
The game’s flow, as visualized by ESPN’s win probability model, demonstrated a clear shift in favor of UC Irvine early on, with the Anteaters maintaining a high probability of winning throughout the majority of the contest. This reflects their consistent offensive execution and defensive pressure, which ultimately proved too much for the Roadrunners to handle.
The performance of both teams will likely influence their strategies and approaches in upcoming Big West Conference games. UC Irvine will aim to maintain their momentum and build upon their strong offensive and defensive foundations, while Cal State Bakersfield will focus on improving their shooting accuracy and rebounding prowess to enhance their competitiveness.
