Max Hazzard’s late jumper caps UC Irvine’s stunning comeback win against Hawaii in Big West tourney
Max Hazzard’s late jumper caps UC Irvine’s stunning comeback win against Hawaii in Big West tourney
Viernes 09 de Marzo del 2018
The third-seeded Anteaters erase a double-digit deficit in the final minutes and edge the sixth-seeded Rainbow Warriors 68-67 on a go-ahead basket with 5.5 seconds left. Evan Leonard scores 24 for …
The third-seeded Anteaters erase a double-digit deficit in the final minutes and edge the sixth-seeded Rainbow Warriors 68-67 on a go-ahead basket with 5.5 seconds left. Evan Leonard scores 24 for …
UC Irvine’s Eyassu Worku shoots over Hawaii’s Drew Buggs during the first half of their quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Tommy Rutherford reacts after fouling Hawaii’s Mike Thomas during the first half of their quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Eyassu Worku watches a three-pointer drop in against Hawaii during the first half of their quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Eyassu Worku loses the ball under pressure from Hawaii’s Brocke Stepteau during the first half of their quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Max Hazzard shoots over Hawaii’s Drew Buggs during the first half of their quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard shoots past Hawaii’s Drew Buggs during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Elston Jones, left, and Jonathan Galloway try and stop Hawaii’s Drew Buggs during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard shoots and scores after being fouled by Hawaii’s Sheriff Drammeh during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Max Hazzard shoots past the Hawaii defense during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hawaii’s Sheriff Drammeh can’t believe the call after fouling UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine head coach Russell Turner on the sidelines during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard tries to squeeze past Hawaii’s Gibson Johnson, left, and Brocke Stepteau during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Brad Greene is fouled by Hawaii’s Drew Buggs during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Jonathan Galloway, left, and Evan Leonard watch as Hawaii’s Mike Thomas dunks during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard is fouled by Hawaii’s Drew Buggs as Gibson Johnson, right, helps defend during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Eyassu Worku, right celebrates a late Hawaii turnover next to teammate John Edgar Jr. during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine head coach Russell Turner on the sidelines during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard scores past Hawaii’s Sheriff Drammeh, left, and Gibson Johnson during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Eyassu Worku steals the ball from Hawaii’s Brocke Stepteau during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Max Hazzard scores over Hawaii’s Brocke Stepteau for the final points of the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Max Hazzard celebrates his late basket over Hawaii’s Brocke Stepteau to give the Anteaters’ a 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Jonathan Galloway, left, and Max Hazzard celebrate in front of Hawaii’s Mike Thomas and Gibson Johnson, right, after the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hawaii’s Gibson Johnson reacts after their 68-67 loss to UC Irvine in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The UC Irvine bench celebrates a basket against Hawaii during the first half of their quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine’s Brad Greene, Max Hazzard and Jonathan Galloway, from left, pressure Hawaii’s Drew Buggs during the UC Irvine’s 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine cheerleaders celebrate during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The UC Irvine band entertains the crowd during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine fans cheer during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine cheerleaders support their team during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
A UC Irvine fan shows her team spirit during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine fans and cheerleaders show their support during a free throw during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine cheerleaders show their support during a free throw during the Anteaters’ 68-67 victory over Hawaii in a quarterfinal game of the Big West Tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, Mar. 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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ANAHEIM — It was three scintillating and frantic minutes that saved UC Irvine’s season. If momentum means anything, it could send them to the Big West Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Trailing by seven points with 3:13 left in a quarterfinal game Hawaii had controlled most of the night, the Anteaters went on a furious 11-3 run to take a thrilling 68-67 victory on Max Hazzard’s game-winning jumper with 5.5 seconds left.
As late game runs go in UCI history, one will have to dig deep in the archives to find one as good.
“I’ll never forget Max’s last-second shot,” said Evan Leonard, who made 8 of 13 shots for 24 points.
UCI trailed by a point with 14.1 seconds remaining. Eyassu Worku pushed the ball up court and drove the lane, drawing most of Hawaii’s defense, then pulled up and passed to a wide-open Hazzard for an open 10-foot jumper and the win.
HAZZARD WITH THE GAME WINNER!! #TogetherWeZot pic.twitter.com/GMxHMSdF3p
“The (winning) play was something we always do,” UCI coach Russell Turner said. “We had four shooters on the court and Worku read the defense and made the right play to an open man. It was great execution.”
The entire sequence in the run was unforgettable.
The third-seeded Anteaters (17-16), who advance to Friday’s 9 p.m. semifinal against No. 2 seed UC Santa Barbara, trailed by 10 after a dunk by Hawaii’s Mike Thomas with 4:08 left, and the margin was still a distant seven with 3:13 left. Leonard and Worku (18 points, four assists) sank two free throws each to cut the lead to three.
After the second free throw, the Anteaters pressed sixth-seeded Hawaii and were able to tie up the ball with the possession arrow in their favor. Worku then drove the lane on the follow-up possession for a basket to make it a one-point deficit.
UCI’s defense forced an off-balance shot on Hawaii’s next possession as the shot clock ran out and ran a quick transition for a Leonard basket to take a 65-64 lead. Worku then sank a free throw after a foul to make it 66-64 with 31.7 seconds left.
Hawaii’s Gibson Johnson hit a jumper and was fouled with 14.1 seconds left to push Hawaii back on top 67-66. After a timeout, Worku drove, passed and celebrated as Hazzard’s shot went through the net. Hawaii (17-13) had 5.5 seconds left but could only get an off-balance shot by Brocke Stepteau from 12 feet that was wide left.
“We rely on our defense every game,” Turner said. “It’s what sustained that run because we made tough, smart defensive plays.
“I have to give Hawaii credit. The level they played at for most of the game was very difficult for us to match. Those plays we made late were all traps and flies at a frantic pace, and I think maybe Hawaii got a little tired at the end. They played so well for so long. I told the team before the game that it would not be an upset if Hawaii beat us. That’s a good team.”
Rainbow Warriors coach Eran Ganot said the result was a microcosm of their season.
“We’ve had a lot of games where we’ve played well for 30 minutes and then have short lapses that hurt us. We had a great game plan. Then we had some turnovers and fouls that gave them a boost. And we knew what a good defensive team UC Irvine is.’’
Hazzard finished with 15 points as the guard trio of Worku, Leonard and Hazzard made 19 of 37 shots for all but 11 of UCI’s points. The Anteater big men struggled against a tall and physical Hawaii team. Tommy Rutherford again picked up two early fouls and played just three minutes of the first half and just 18 of the 40.
The 6-foot-8 Johnson had a career-high 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and 6-7 Mike Thomas had 14 points and seven rebounds. Drew Buggs had seven points, six assists and four steals but he also fouled out late.
The 6:30 p.m. semifinal will pit top seed UC Davis against the lowest remaining seed, most likely fourth-seeded Cal State Fullerton (18-11).
Hear what Max Hazzard had to say following his game winning shot and the Anteaters big win over Hawaii⬇️ pic.twitter.com/l414pmIyaQ
