GAME NOTES: Former foes in the Big West Conference, the Pacific Tigers and UC Irvine Anteaters, are slated to face off against each other on Sunday at the Bren Events Center.

Pacific, which left for the West Coast Conference following the 2012-13 campaign, opened the 2014-15 season on Friday and needed overtime to slip by Western Illinois on the road, 73-71.

Meanwhile, the Anteaters also have one game already under their belt after taking out Chapman at home two nights ago by a score of 87-36. Unfortunately for UCI, after enjoying back-to-back home dates to kick off the season, the team now has to hit the road for four straight, the first of those coming against Pac-12 powerhouse and nationally-ranked Arizona on Wednesday night.

Pacific leads the all-time series against the Anteaters by a count of 43-37, taking down UCI in one of the most recent meetings, 64-55, in the championship game of the 2013 Big West Tournament.

A layup by Gabriel Aguirre in the final moments of overtime was just what the Tigers needed as they slipped by Western Illinois on the road two nights ago. Aguirre finished the meeting with 10 points, one of four players in double figures for the Tigers in the close call. Before fouling out, T.J. Wallace registered a double-double consisting of 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, adding four assists in an effort to offset his five turnovers. David Taylor also pitched in with 13 points and Eric Thompson 12 on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor in a reserve role.

As a unit, Pacific held the Leathernecks to a mere 39.7 percent shooting from the floor and 8-of-27 behind the 3-point line, while the hosts didn't do themselves any favors by converting a meager 17-of-31 at the free-throw line. The Tigers also had their issues on the perimeter however, converting only 4- of-19 beyond the arc on the night.

Over on the other side, Chapman was no match for the Anteaters as the hosts scored the first points of the meeting and never looked back, limiting the visitors to a mere 5-of-25 shooting from the floor in the first half. At the same time, UCI connected on a sizzling 63.0 percent, including 4-of-6 behind the 3-point line, en route to a 40-16 advantage at the break and the eventual 51-point victory in front of the home town fans.

Not a single player on the UCI roster played more than 23 minutes as a total of 13 players saw action and all but two landed in the scoring column. Leading the way was Luke Nelson with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 beyond the arc, while the only other double-digit performer was John Ryan with 14 points in 17 minutes off the bench.

Defensively, the Anteaters forced more turnovers (19) than field goals allowed (12), and watched the visitors shoot 9-of-18 at the free-throw line.

The lopsided win for the Anteaters in the opener is a bit deceiving, but at least the team got off on the right foot. Pacific might be a weary group after having to go to overtime in the first game of the season, and then traveling back to the Golden State for this matchup.