A Rematch for Irvine, Long Beach

UC Irvine and Cal State Long Beach will reconvene tonight at 7:30 at Irvine’s Bren Center for their second meeting in six days.

And what has transpired for these teams since the 49ers’ 78-71 victory over the Anteaters Monday night?

Well, Long Beach’s wistful visions of first place crapped out in Las Vegas, where the 49ers were blitzed by the Rebels, 104-74, Thursday night. Long Beach, 10-9 overall and 5-2 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn., shot 30% in the first half and was outscored in one stretch, 30-6.

At Irvine, Thursday night signaled the re-discovery of Scott Brooks’ jump shot. After making just 6 of 15 shots against the 49ers, Brooks sank 10 of 16 against New Mexico State--7 of 11 from three-point range--as the Anteaters scored an 86-80 triumph.

The victory left Irvine at 5-4 in the PCAA and 10-8 overall.

A more significant Anteater statistic is 2-2. That is Irvine’s record while point guard Joe Buchanan has been hospitalized with an abdominal disorder. Buchanan is expected to be released from St. Joseph’s Sunday or Monday, but figures to miss at least two more games.

In Buchanan’s absence, 6-1 junior Mike Hess has been moved into the starting lineup. Hess scored 13 points in his debut against Cal State Fullerton, but has struggled since. In his three other starts, Hess totaled 12 points while shooting 25%. He was 1 or 7 against Long Beach and 1 for 5 against New Mexico State.

“He’s not playing with much confidence,” said Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan, who is considering starting swingman Kevin Floyd in place of Hess tonight. Floyd is averaging 8.7 points a game.

Making his second start for Irvine will be sophomore forward Rob Doktorczyk. Doktorczyk had 10 points and 7 rebounds against New Mexico State.