UC Irvine Basketball Upset Rocks Big West—How the Anteaters Stunned Rivals Tonight

IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine basketball is surging at just the right time, and both the men’s and women’s programs are positioning themselves for a run at the Big West crowns. Men’s team keeps climbing Head coach Russell Turner’s squad improved to 14-7 overall and 7-2 in league play after a gritty road sweep, handling UC Riverside 80-66 and edging UC San Diego 61-59 to seize sole possession of second place in the Big West standings. Defensive efficiency has been the calling card all season, but the offense is catching up: sophomore guard Dylan Thorne poured in a career-best 22 points at Riverside, while freshman forward Kyle Evans continues to anchor the paint, averaging 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Key stretch ahead: the Anteaters host Hawai‘i on Saturday before a first-place showdown with Long Beach State next Thursday. Win both, and UCI could lock up a top-two seed – and the coveted double-bye – for the Big West Tournament in Henderson, Nevada. Women’s team makes national noise Head coach Tamara Inoue’s women improved to 20-4 (11-2 Big West) after a statement 84-39 demolition of Cal Poly, draining a season-high 14 three-pointers and dominating the glass 47-28. Sophomore sharpshooter Hunter Hernandez led a balanced attack with 19 points, while junior floor general Nevaeh Wynn added 14 and five assists. With the victory, UCI cracked the NET top-60 and sits squarely on the NCAA at-large radar – a rarity for the Big West. Star to watch Six-foot guard Hunter Hernandez is averaging 18.2 PPG, hitting 42 percent from deep and posting the league’s best offensive rating among high-volume scorers. Her ability to stretch defenses opens driving lanes for veterans Nikki Neville and Kalei Parrish, making the Anteaters one of the most efficient perimeter units on the West Coast. Ticket & streaming info Both programs play home doubleheaders at the Bren Events Center this weekend. Limited lower-bowl tickets remain at UCIrvineSports.com, and every contest streams live on ESPN+. Fans searching “UC Irvine basketball schedule,” “UCI tickets,” or “how to watch Anteaters basketball” will find up-to-the-minute links, parking maps, and promotional giveaways online. Why it matters With the Big West Tournament less than a month away, every possession counts. The men are chasing their fourth NCAA bid under Turner, while the women aim to punch their first ticket since 1995. If the current momentum holds, March could bring a double celebration in Irvine – and the national spotlight that comes with it.