UCI’s Sanders named Big West Player of the Week

UC Irvine senior forward Patrick Sanders has been named the Big West Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

The 6-foot-6 Sanders averaged 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in UCI’s two home wins last week as the Anteaters improved to 11-0 in on-campus games this season.

Sanders scored 23 points in Thursday’s 64-57 win over Long Beach State as he netted UCI’s final 11 points after the Anteaters trailed 55-53 with just over four minutes left.

Sanders scored eight points in each half of Saturday’s 82-66 win over Big West-leading Cal State Northridge. He hit back-to-back jumpers near the four-minute mark in the second half to help the Anteaters extend their lead after the Matadors had closed to within three points.

The Anteaters (14-14, 8-6 in conference) close out their regular-season schedule hosting UC Davis Thursday and Cal State Fullerton Saturday in 7:05 p.m. games at the Bren Events Center.

— From staff reports