IRVINE, Calif.  – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team found the going tough in a 77-52 loss to UC Irvine Saturday at the Bren Events Center. With the loss, the Rainbow Warriors (13-9, 7-4) dropped to fourth in the Big West standings.
 
Facing one of the top defensive teams in the country, UH was stymied throughout as UCI  (13-7, 7-3) led from wire-to-wire and handed UH its largest margin of defeat this year.  UH was held to a season-low in points while shooting just 33 percent from the floor, including 3-of-20 on three-pointers.
 
A month ago, the 'Bows held UCI to just 32 percent shooting and led by as 24 points in a 72-46 win in Honolulu. The Anteaters turned the tables in Irvine, building its lead to as many as 32 points in winning their seventh straight game and climbing to third in the league standings.
 
Colin Welp led UCI with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Dawson Baker finished with 12. Mate Colina was the only player in double-digits for UH, finishing with a team-high 12 points.
 
The first half was a defensive battle with neither team finding a rhythm offensively. The 'Bows shot just 35 percent, including just 1-of-10 on three-pointers. UCI shot just 37 percent but scored six of the final seven points of the half to take a 32-23 lead at the break.
 
The Anteaters continued that momentum in the second half on  both ends of the court. UCI shot 56 percent after the break and continued to clamp down on the 'Bows who made just seven field goals and shot 30 percent in the second half. UCI went an astounding 23-of-24 from the line for the game and also out-rebounded UH, 39-29.
 
The 'Bows now return to the islands for their final two home games of the season, beginning with a meeting versus Cal Poly on Thursday, Feb. 24. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.