The top-seeded Tritons pull away late to beat the second-seeded Anteaters, 75-61, reaching the Big Dance in their first year of eligibility and denying UCI, which was looking to make its first

The second-seeded Anteaters (28-5) dominate the second half in a 96-78 win and will face top-seeded UC San Diego (29-4) in a much-anticipated showdown on Saturday night.

Led by Bent Leuchten's 21 points, the second-seeded UC Irvine Anteaters defeated the Cal Poly Mustangs 96-78 in the Big West Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday