College Roundup: Loyola upends UCI

CHICAGO — No. 7-ranked Loyola Chicago, featuring former Newport Harbor High standout Cody Caldwell, upset No. 1-ranked UC Irvine, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, 17-25, 15-12 in a nonconference match Thursday night.

Caldwell was one of three Ramblers with double-digit kills. He had 13 kills and eight digs.

The Anteaters (2-1) were led by senior outside hitter Jeremy Dejno with 15 kills, two aces and three block assists. Freshman Tamir Hershko had a career-best 14 kills, while junior Zack La Cavera added 11 kills. Middle blockers Scott Kevorken and Collin Mehring totaled eight and seven kills, respectively. Mehring had a team-high four total blocks. Libero Michael Brinkley had a match-best 16 digs and setter Michael Saeta recorded 40 set assists, five digs and three blocks.

Loyola out-blocked UCI 12-7.5 and out-hit the Anteaters .263-.248.

The Ramblers were led by Joe Smalzer with 15 kills, 13 digs and three aces.

UCI is back in action Saturday at Ball State.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UC Irvine 90, La Verne 53

Senior Jasmine Bernard doubled her previous career high with 24 points to help lead the host Anteaters in the nonconference game on Thursday UCI.

Bernard made nine of 13 field-goal attempts and added eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Methlyn Onogomuho had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Vanessa Aquilar chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds for the winners.

UCI (7-7), which is now 3-0 at home, forced 34 turnovers to help forge a 37-5 advantage in points off turnovers. UCI led the rebounding battle, 55-46 and held the Leopards to 36.4% shooting from the field.

La Verne fell to 7-4.

UCI opens Big West Conference play on Thursday at Long Beach State at 5 p.m.