The Anteaters fall behind by 15 points early but find their footing by halftime and survive a defensive tussle to reach Thursday’s championship game against either Chattanooga or Loyola-Chicago.

UC Irvine is coming off an 81-77 win over UAB in the last round. Devin Tillis led the way with 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds. Bent Leuchten had a double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down 10 boards. Jurian Dixon and Myles Che scored in double figures as well.

Devin Tillis helped UC Irvine erase a 15-point, first-half deficit, rallying to edge the North Texas Mean Green during an NIT semifinal Tuesday night.