Brown on Target, Helps Irvine Beat UNLV

The 30-foot banner has been in evidence at the north end of the Bren Center for a month, pleading for the return of “Brownie” in yard-high blue and gold letters.

But Chris Brown, the nation’s No. 1 three-point shooter last season, has been either on the bench or ineffective on the floor.

In the 10 games before Thursday night’s against Nevada Las Vegas, Brown--who averaged almost five three-point baskets a game last season--had scored in double figures only once.

Then he made six of 10 three-point shots and scored 20 points against UNLV, and Irvine won its fourth consecutive game for the first time since 1987, an 82-69 Big West victory before 2,494.

“I tend to get down on myself a lot and I wasn’t having any fun,” Brown said. “I just came in thinking that I would stop worrying about the past and concentrate on playing for the moment, doing whatever I could to be an asset to this team.”

The Anteaters, 8-9 and 4-6 in the Big West, had lost 12 in a row to UNLV (7-9, 4-6). But they came out in high gear, grabbed a 10-point lead midway through the first half and led by as many as 16. Raimonds Miglinieks led the charge with a school-record 17 assists.

“I knew the UCI record was 16, but I didn’t know how much I had,” he said, “I had no time to think about records. I just have to thank my teammates, like Chris Brown and Kevin (Simmons) and (Khalid) Channell because they have to (score).”

Simmons led the Anteaters with 21 points. Channell had 12.

“I think there were 14 or 15 guys out there who were genuinely happy for Chris Brown tonight,” Irvine Coach Rod Baker said.