UC Irvine Routs San Jose State 91-79
Jovan Jester Jr. led the Anteaters with 24 points as UC Irvine built a 20-point halftime lead at the Bren Events Center.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
UC Irvine defeated San Jose State 91-79 at the Bren Events Center on November 7, 2026. The Anteaters opened the game with a 13-0 run and led by 20 points at halftime.
Why it matters
The win moves UC Irvine to 2-0 on the season while San Jose State falls to 1-1. The margin reflects UC Irvine's control of the boards and the paint in an early-season matchup.
UC Irvine held a 46-24 rebounding edge and a 44-24 advantage in points in the paint. Jovan Jester Jr. shot 8 of 12 from the field and added eight rebounds and three assists.
The players
UC Irvine Anteaters
The men's basketball program of the University of California, Irvine, competing in NCAA Division I, and the team that won this game.
San Jose State Spartans
The men's basketball program of San Jose State University, competing in NCAA Division I in the Mountain West Conference.
The details
UC Irvine opened with a 13-0 run, reaching that lead 3:28 into the game. San Jose State missed its first six field-goal attempts and did not score until free throws with 16:21 left in the first half. Nils Cooper scored 15 points, Tama Isaac added 14 points and eight assists, and Josiah Johnson scored 13 off the bench. Nes Emeneke tied a career high with five blocked shots and grabbed nine rebounds.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: UC Irvine defeats San Jose State 91-79.
November 11, 2026: UC Irvine hosts Lincoln University (of Oakland) at 7 p.m.
Season Trajectory
At 2-0, UC Irvine has started the season with two wins while San Jose State is 1-1 after this loss. Early-season results like this one give little indication of postseason positioning, which is decided later in conference play.
UC Irvine's 2-0 start gives it an early advantage in the win column heading into its next home game. Fans planning to attend can check the home schedule for the November 11 matchup against Lincoln University (of Oakland).
The takeaway
Early-season wins build momentum, but the rebounding and paint margins in this game show the areas that held up well for UC Irvine. Following the team's next home game will show whether those advantages continue against a different opponent.
What happens next
UC Irvine hosts Lincoln University (of Oakland) at 7 p.m. on November 11, 2026.
Further reading
For more college hoops coverage, see our Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Orange County Register.
