UC Irvine rallies before falling at UC Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — UC Irvine erased a 17-point deficit to take a three-point lead with 2:42 to play but could not hold off the Gauchos, ultimately falling 64-61 on Saturday night at the Thunderdome.
Collin Welp made a pair of free throws, then Evan Leonard made a long two-pointer to give the Anteaters a 58-55 lead with 2:42 left, but UCI went 1 for 4 from the field with a turnover the rest of the way and UCSB went 7 for 8 from the free-throw line to take a 62-58 lead.
Welp hit a 3-pointer wit