Preview: Belmont Bruins at UC Irvine Anteaters IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging Belmont team riding a seven-game win streak faces a UC Irvine squad looking to build momentum in a nonconference men’s basketball clash Friday at Bren Events Center. The Bruins (11-1) have been one of the nation’s early surprises, with their only loss an 84-76 setback to Richmond on Dec. 3. They are coming off an 83-78 road victory at Evansville on Tuesday. Guard Tyler Lundblade has been instrumental, averaging 17.6 points over his last five games, including a 21-point effort at Evansville. “We’re playing with confidence and togetherness,“ Belmont coach Casey Alexander said. “Every game presents a new challenge, and Irvine is certainly that.“ The Anteaters (7-4) have won three straight, most recently an 85-71 home win over Cal State Northridge on Dec. 6. Their defense, anchored by forward Kyle Evans, has been key. Evans has blocked 16 shots in his last five games, including an eight-block performance against Northern Iowa on Nov. 22. “Evans changes the game around the rim,“ UC Irvine coach Russell Turner said. “We’ll need that defensive presence against a very efficient Belmont offense.“ Belmont’s offense averages 85.2 points per game, powered by Lundblade and balanced scoring. In the win at Evansville, Drew Scharnowski added 14 points and Sam Orme had 11. UC Irvine counters with a more deliberate pace (73.5 ppg) and a defense allowing just 63.5 points during its current win streak. Evans also contributes offensively, coming off a 19-point game against UC Riverside on Dec. 4. This marks the first meeting between the programs. For Belmont, it’s a final tune-up before Missouri Valley Conference play begins next week. For UC Irvine, it’s a major opportunity to add a quality win to its resume before Big West Conference action. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST. Belmont visits Indiana State on Dec. 29. UC Irvine faces North Dakota State in a neutral-site game in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 21.