Riverside, Calif. - The Men's Basketball Team hosted the University of Redlands (0-2) on Friday afternoon after a thriller of a win against the Bulldogs just one week before. Once again, the Golden Eagles would prevail, 102-91.
Uriel Lejtman put the Golden Eagles on the board, but much like their first matchup, the game went point for point thereafter, until Kobe Stallings drove to the basket, then kicked the ball out to an open, Jorge Ramirez for a trey ball, putting the Golden Eagles up by six with 10 minutes left in the half. Seconds later, Ivan Egbunike stole the ball from the Bulldogs, made an outlet pass and hustled down the court, where he would get the ball back in the lane and go up for a two-handed dunk, bringing the score to 23-15, with just over nine minutes until halftime. The Bulldogs started to make a comeback, bringing the score within six, with only two minutes remaining in the half, but the Golden Eagles found another gear and pushed the spread to 11, ending the half 53-42.
In the second half, Uriel Lejtman would again score first for the Golden Eagles, when DJ Everage made a sharp chest pass into Uriel Lejtman for a Mikan style layup under the basket. Not long after, DJ Everage hit three field goals in a row, putting the Golden Eagles up by 13, 61-48. With 15 minutes left to play, Uriel Lejtman grabbed an offensive board and muscled his way back up for two more points, off the glass. Seconds later, the Golden Eagles would break the Bulldogs' press and push the ball forward to Duane Darrett Jr. who dished the ball to Uriel Lejtman, for another two points off the glass, bringing the score to, 67-53, with 14 minutes left in the game. The momentum continued for the Golden Eagles, as numerous players participated in the scoring campaign that ended with a 102-91 victory over the Bulldogs.
Junior, Forward, Duane Darrett Jr. said, "I was really proud of how unselfish we played in [the] game. I loved how everybody was involved and it led to another win. There's definitely a lot of talent on this team."
Uriel Lejtman had another game high 34 points, with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. The other four starters also scored in double digits, with 17 points from DJ Everage and 5 assists. Ivan Egbunike had 14 points and two steals and both Duane Darrett Jr. and Weston McKenney had double-doubles on the night (11 points/10 rebounds and 10 points/10 rebounds respectively).
The Golden Eagles shot 60 percent from the field and 86 percent from the line. They are now 2-2 overall.
Next up, the Golden Eagles travel to UC Merced for back-to-back games, March 18th and 19th.
