UC Irvine Edges UC San Diego in Close Contest
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · LionTree Arena
UC Irvine Anteaters 61, UC San Diego Tritons 59, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC San Diego Tritons?
UC Irvine Anteaters beat UC San Diego Tritons 61-59 at LionTree Arena on January 24, 2026.
Who was favored in UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC San Diego Tritons?
UC San Diego Tritons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UC Irvine Anteaters narrowly defeated the UC San Diego Tritons with a final score of 61-59. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, as they battled for supremacy in the NCAAB landscape. The Tritons, playing at their home venue, LionTree Arena, entered the game with a home record of 15-6, while the Anteaters carried an away record of 14-7.
Both teams had shown varying forms leading up to this encounter. UC San Diego came into the game with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, currently riding a two-game winning streak. They averaged 76.2 points scored and allowed 71.5 points per game during this stretch. Their recent victories included an 80-74 win against UC Davis and an 83-62 triumph over Cal State Bakersfield. However, they struggled at home, posting a 2-3 record in their last five games.
On the other hand, UC Irvine had a stronger recent performance, boasting a record of 7-3 in their last ten games and entering the contest with a one-game winning streak. The Anteaters averaged 76.5 points scored and allowed 71.1 points during this stretch. Their most recent victory was an 80-66 win over UC Riverside. UC Irvine's away form was commendable, as they had a 5-2 record in their last seven away games, showcasing their ability to perform on the road.
The historical context of this matchup added another layer of intrigue. In their previous three meetings, UC San Diego had won two, including a decisive 85-67 victory earlier in the 2025 season. However, the Anteaters had also claimed a victory in their last meeting prior to this game, winning 75-61 in March 2025. This fixture was expected to be a close contest, and it certainly delivered.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player absences, but such factors often play a crucial role in determining the outcome of games at this level. The absence of key players can significantly impact a team's performance, and fans would have been keen to see how both teams managed their rosters leading into this critical matchup.
The betting market reflected the competitive nature of the game, with DraftKings setting the spread at UC San Diego -2.5 and the total points line at 146.5. The odds indicated a slight favoring of the Tritons, which aligned with their home advantage. The moneyline odds were -148.0 for UC San Diego and +124.0 for UC Irvine, further emphasizing the close nature of the contest.
The game unfolded under typical basketball conditions, with both teams showcasing their offensive and defensive strategies. As the second half progressed, key moments defined the match. Leo Beath was instrumental for UC Irvine, making several critical plays, including a driving layup that put the Anteaters ahead 57-53. His performance culminated in a series of free throws that helped maintain UC Irvine's lead as the game drew to a close.
With the score tied at 59-59, Jurian Dixon's floating jump shot sealed the victory for UC Irvine, bringing the final score to 61-59. This close finish highlighted the intensity of the rivalry and the skill level of both teams. Fans and analysts alike would have noted the resilience of UC Irvine in securing a hard-fought win on the road, while UC San Diego would look to regroup after a narrow defeat.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on their performances. UC San Diego will aim to bounce back from this loss, while UC Irvine will seek to capitalize on their momentum from this victory. The competitive landscape of NCAAB continues to evolve, and this game was a testament to the thrilling nature of college basketball.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSD -2.5 | 146.5 o -112 / u -108 | UC Irvine Anteaters +124 · UC San Diego Tritons -148 |
Leaders
- PointsLeo Beath16UC San Diego Tritons
- AssistsEmanuel Prospere II5UC San Diego Tritons
- ReboundsLeo Beath10UC San Diego Tritons
- PointsJurian Dixon12UC Irvine Anteaters
- AssistsTama Isaac3UC Irvine Anteaters
- ReboundsDerin Saran8UC Irvine Anteaters
Recent form
UC San Diego Tritons
Last 10: 6-4Streak W276.2 scored · 71.5 allowed per game2-3 at home
- W80-74at UC Davis AggiesJan 23
- W83-62at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 17
- L79-84vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 16
- W69-66at UC Riverside HighlandersJan 11
- L71-88vs Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 9
- W83-73vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 4
- L65-67at Cal Poly MustangsJan 2
- W85-62vs Stanton ElksDec 29
- L80-82vs San Diego TorerosDec 20
- W67-57at Loyola Marymount LionsDec 17
UC Irvine Anteaters
Last 10: 7-3Streak W176.5 scored · 71.1 allowed per game5-2 away
- W80-66at UC Riverside HighlandersJan 23
- L72-75at UC Davis AggiesJan 17
- L66-67at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 11
- W74-64vs Long Beach State BeachJan 9
- W86-64at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 4
- W81-77at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 1
- W89-70at Norfolk State SpartansDec 23
- W74-73at North Dakota State BisonDec 22
- L58-84vs Belmont BruinsDec 20
- W85-71vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsDec 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | UC Irvine Anteaters | UC San Diego Tritons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-62 | 22-65 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 34 |
| Three-pointers | 4-16 | 9-32 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 28 |
| Free throws | 7-13 | 6-9 |
| Free throw % | 54 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 40 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 36 | 32 |
| Assists | 12 | 14 |
| Steals | 5 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 26 |
| Fouls | 8 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 59 | 26 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half24-25Dimitrije Vukicevic makes layup (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 1st Half24-26Dimitrije Vukicevic makes free throw 1 of 1
- 1st Half26-26Derin Saran makes driving layup
- 1st Half26-28Hudson Mayes makes driving layup
- 1st Half28-28Derin Saran makes 22-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half30-28Kyle Evans makes layup
- 2nd Half30-31Alex Chaikin makes 22-foot three point jumper (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 2nd Half32-31Jurian Dixon makes 15-foot pullup jump shot (Tama Isaac assists)
- 2nd Half34-31Kyle Evans makes layup
- 2nd Half37-31Tama Isaac makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half37-34Bol Dengdit makes 26-foot three point jumper (Tom Beattie assists)
- 2nd Half39-34Jurian Dixon makes driving layup (Tama Isaac assists)
- 2nd Half39-37Tom Beattie makes 23-foot three point jumper (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 2nd Half41-37Harrison Carrington makes layup (Kyle Evans assists)
- 2nd Half41-38Emanuel Prospere II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-38Andre Henry makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half43-40Leo Beath makes 13-foot floating jump shot (Dimitrije Vukicevic assists)
- 2nd Half45-40Tama Isaac makes 12-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half47-40Andre Henry makes driving layup (Harrison Carrington assists)
- 2nd Half47-42Dimitrije Vukicevic makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-42Andre Henry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-42Andre Henry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-42Jovan Jester Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-44Aidan Burke makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-45Hudson Mayes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-46Hudson Mayes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-49Hudson Mayes makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bol Dengdit assists)
- 2nd Half52-49Akiva McBirney-Griffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-49Kyle Evans makes 2-foot dunk (Akiva McBirney-Griffin assists)
- 2nd Half55-49Harrison Carrington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-51Hudson Mayes makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Aidan Burke assists)
- 2nd Half57-51Kyle Evans makes 1-foot dunk (Derin Saran assists)
- 2nd Half57-53Leo Beath makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-55Leo Beath makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half57-56Leo Beath makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-57Leo Beath makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-57Harrison Carrington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-57Harrison Carrington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-59Emanuel Prospere II makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-59Jurian Dixon makes 2-foot floating jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours UC San Diego Tritons, below favours UC Irvine Anteaters.
Venue
- LionTree ArenaSan Diego, CA
- Attendance4000
- OfficialsCody Crum, Wesley Ford, Akin Moss
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond