UC San Diego Tritons Edge UC Irvine Anteaters 71-69
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Bren Events Center
UC San Diego Tritons 71, UC Irvine Anteaters 69, 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 San Diego Tritons vs UC Irvine Anteaters?
UC San Diego Tritons beat UC Irvine Anteaters 71-69 at Bren Events Center on February 21, 2026.
Who was favored in UC San Diego Tritons vs UC Irvine Anteaters?
UC Irvine Anteaters were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UC San Diego Tritons defeated the UC Irvine Anteaters 71-69 at the Bren Events Center on February 22, 2026. This game was significant as it showcased the fierce rivalry between the two teams, with both having split their previous four meetings, making this victory crucial for the Tritons in the current season's standings.
Entering the game, the Anteaters held an overall record of 18-10, while the Tritons boasted a slightly better 19-9. The Anteaters had been in decent form, winning six of their last ten games, with a scoring average of 75.1 points per game while allowing 69.1. They were on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated Long Beach State Beach 69-58 and Cal State Fullerton Titans 86-65. Their home record was strong, sitting at 3-0 in their last three home games.
Conversely, the Tritons had a mixed bag of results in their last ten games, with a record of 5-5 and an average of 69.7 points scored per game against 68.7 points allowed. They were also on a two-game winning streak, having secured victories against UC Riverside Highlanders and UC Davis Aggies. Their away record reflected some struggles, with a 2-2 mark in their last four games.
The teams had met earlier in the season on January 25, 2026, where the Anteaters narrowly won 61-59, adding to the anticipation for this rematch. The historical context of their previous encounters added an extra layer of intensity to the game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either side, which meant both teams were able to field their strongest lineups. This was crucial in a game where every possession counted.
The market had UC Irvine favored by 3.5 points, according to DraftKings, with a total set at 143.5. The odds indicated a competitive matchup, reflecting the close nature of the teams' records and recent performances.
As the game unfolded, the Tritons managed to take control in the second half, highlighted by a series of scoring plays that kept the Anteaters on their toes. Kyle Evans contributed significantly with a crucial dunk, while Andre Henry's three-pointer helped maintain the Tritons' lead. Despite a valiant effort from the Anteaters, including a three-pointer from Jurian Dixon that brought them within two points, the Tritons held their ground.
The final moments of the game saw Hudson Mayes score consecutive layups, extending the Tritons' lead to five points. Although the Anteaters fought back, ultimately, they fell short, sealing the Tritons' victory and giving them a crucial edge in their rivalry.
Overall, the game was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Tritons' ability to execute in critical moments proving decisive. The Anteaters will look to regroup as they continue their season, while the Tritons will seek to build on this momentum.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCI -3.5 | 143.5 o -112 / u -108 | UC San Diego Tritons +154 · UC Irvine Anteaters -185 |
Leaders
- PointsJurian Dixon22UC Irvine Anteaters
- AssistsJurian Dixon4UC Irvine Anteaters
- ReboundsKyle Evans12UC Irvine Anteaters
- PointsHudson Mayes17UC San Diego Tritons
- AssistsBol Dengdit5UC San Diego Tritons
- ReboundsHudson Mayes8UC San Diego Tritons
Recent form
UC Irvine Anteaters
Last 10: 6-4Streak W275.1 scored · 69.1 allowed per game3-0 at home
- W69-58at Long Beach State BeachFeb 20
- W86-65vs Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 15
- L73-79at Cal Poly MustangsFeb 13
- L79-84at UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 8
- W78-62vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersFeb 6
- W87-76vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 30
- W61-59at UC San Diego TritonsJan 25
- W80-66at UC Riverside HighlandersJan 23
- L72-75at UC Davis AggiesJan 17
- L66-67at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 11
UC San Diego Tritons
Last 10: 5-5Streak W269.7 scored · 68.7 allowed per game2-2 away
- W72-66vs UC Riverside HighlandersFeb 15
- W68-51vs UC Davis AggiesFeb 13
- L67-72at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 8
- W77-74vs Long Beach State BeachFeb 6
- L64-81at Cal State Northridge MatadorsFeb 1
- L48-62vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosJan 30
- L59-61vs UC Irvine AnteatersJan 25
- W80-74at UC Davis AggiesJan 23
- W83-62at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 17
- L79-84vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 16
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 San Diego Tritons | UC Irvine Anteaters |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-59 | 28-67 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 10-25 | 8-18 |
| Three-point % | 40 | 44 |
| Free throws | 9-11 | 5-7 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 22 |
| Assists | 19 | 18 |
| Steals | 6 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 36 |
| Fouls | 10 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 17 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 89 | 8 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half36-27Kyle Evans makes 16-foot jumper (Jurian Dixon assists)
- 1st Half36-29Kyle Evans makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half36-30Akiva McBirney-Griffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-31Akiva McBirney-Griffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-31Hudson Mayes makes layup (Tom Beattie assists)
- 2nd Half38-33Akiva McBirney-Griffin makes layup
- 2nd Half38-35Jurian Dixon makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half38-37Jurian Dixon makes 19-foot pullup jump shot (Kyle Evans assists)
- 2nd Half40-37Dimitrije Vukicevic makes 5-foot hook shot (Aidan Burke assists)
- 2nd Half40-38Nes Emeneke makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-41Andre Henry makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jovan Jester Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half42-41Tom Beattie makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-41Jaden Vance makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-43Andre Henry makes 2-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half47-43Hudson Mayes makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tom Beattie assists)
- 2nd Half47-45Harrison Carrington makes 2-foot dunk (Kyle Evans assists)
- 2nd Half47-47Jovan Jester Jr. makes 1-foot dunk (Andre Henry assists)
- 2nd Half49-47Hudson Mayes makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-47Tom Beattie makes layup (Leo Beath assists)
- 2nd Half51-49Jurian Dixon makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-49Leo Beath makes 26-foot three point jumper (Bol Dengdit assists)
- 2nd Half54-52Jurian Dixon makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kyle Evans assists)
- 2nd Half55-52Tom Beattie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-52Tom Beattie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-54Derin Saran makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half58-54Alex Chaikin makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Dimitrije Vukicevic assists)
- 2nd Half58-56Andre Henry makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-56Jaden Vance makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-56Jaden Vance makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-56Hudson Mayes makes 9-foot pullup jump shot (Dimitrije Vukicevic assists)
- 2nd Half62-58Harrison Carrington makes layup (Derin Saran assists)
- 2nd Half65-58Alex Chaikin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Hudson Mayes assists)
- 2nd Half65-60Kyle Evans makes 3-foot dunk (Harrison Carrington assists)
- 2nd Half65-63Andre Henry makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kyle Evans assists)
- 2nd Half65-66Jurian Dixon makes 23-foot three point jumper (Andre Henry assists)
- 2nd Half67-66Hudson Mayes makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-66Hudson Mayes makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-66Leo Beath makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-66Leo Beath makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Jurian Dixon makes 33-foot three point jumper (Derin Saran assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours UC Irvine Anteaters, below favours UC San Diego Tritons.
Venue
- Bren Events CenterIrvine, CA
- Attendance3750
- OfficialsJay Hicks, Robert Felder, Michael Mojica
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