by IRVINE, Calif. — Senior guard Luke Nelson, an All-Big West Conference first team selection last year, scored 16 points in his season debut Friday night to lead UC Irvine over Life Pacific College, 101-43, in a non-conference game at the Bren Events Center.
Nelson, who missed the season’s first 15 games due to a hamstring injury, hit 6 of 10 shots, including 4 of 8 threes, in 16 minutes of action as UCI improved to 7-9 on the season.
All 13 Anteater players in uniform scored in the win as UCI has won 51 of its last 62 home games (.823). The ‘Eaters are 64-3 in their last 67 games when limiting the opponents to 60 points or less.
Freshman center Brad Greene (Paiute-Shoshone) scored a career-high 12 points and tied his career best with nine rebounds. He hit all four of his field-goal attempts and added two blocked shots.
Senior center Ioannis Dimakopoulos had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and redshirt freshman guard Darrian Traylor also scored a career-high 11 points, connecting on 3 of 4 triples, as both pulled down five boards.
Freshman guard Evan Leonard recorded nine points while senior guard Jaron Martin had five assists along with five points. Redshirt freshman guard Max Hazzard also registered five assists.
Sophomore forward Jonathan Galloway grabbed eight rebounds and added six points for the Anteaters, who outrebounded the Warriors, 54-15. UCI, which had 15 offensive boards, scored 21 second-chance points to three for Life Pacific.
James Noble led the Warriors with 22 points, hitting 4 of 8 threes.
Life Pacific took an early 7-4 lead on a three by Blake Terry with 16:01 left in the first half before the ‘Eaters went on a 22-2 run over the next 5 ½ minutes, capped by a three from Nelson at the 9:59 mark, to go up 26-9.
UCI, which led 48-16 at halftime, shot 57 percent from the field in the game, hitting 15 of 33 threes. Life Pacific shot 29.8 percent for the contest as the Anteaters have won 62 of their last 69 games when holding the opposition to under 40 percent from the floor.
The ‘Eaters’ bench outscored Life Pacific’s reserves, 59-27, and UCI had a 34-12 advantage in the paint.
The game was an exhibition for the Warriors, who remain 5-6 on the season. Life Pacific, based in San Dimas, is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association.
“I give credit to the guys for being ready to play and buying into what we wanted to accomplish over the course of 40 minutes,” UCI head coach Russell Turner said.
“I didn’t think we started the game that well and weren’t very good on defense early. We looked a little tentative at the beginning of the game and then turned it on.
“When we went to the bench, we got strong and I was pleased everyone had meaningful minutes tonight. Everyone made a positive contribution,” Turner added.
“There’s no way to overstate the significance of having Luke back with his presence for us both on offense and defense. He gives us confidence in a lot of ways,” said Turner.
The Anteaters open Big West Conference play Wednesday night in an early conference showdown, hosting Long Beach State at 7:00 in the Bren Events Center. The 49ers are the league’s preseason favorite and UCI was picked to finish second.
