IRVINE, Calif. --- Derick Flowers scored 17 points and Michael Wilder 10 to lead UC Irvine over UC Riverside, 65-57, in a Big West Conference game before a Homecoming crowd of 3,382 at the Bren Center Saturday.

Flowers scored 13 of his points in the second half as UCI improved to 8-13 overall and 4-4 in the Big West.  Wilder had five assists while Adam Folker pulled down nine rebounds and Will Davis II eight.  Folker scored nine points while Davis, Chris McNealy and Mike Best added seven each.

Phil Martin led the Highlanders (10-11, 4-4) with 19 points and eight rebounds while Kevin Bradshaw recorded 15 points and eight boards.

After Martin hit a jumper to put UCR up 51-47 with 7:43 left, the 'Eaters closed out the game on an 18-6 run.  A layup by Folker off a Chris McNealy feed with 1:34 remaining gave UCI the lead for good at 56-55.  Flowers scored nine of UCI's points during that final run and Folker seven.

The 'Eaters hit 10 of 12 free throws in the final 2:33.  UCI hit 20 of 26 foul shots in the game, including 16 of 20 in the second half.  UCR was 6 of 8 from the line in the contest.

UCR built a 12-7 lead in the first six minutes of the game but UCI turned the tables and went up 29-22 on a free throw from Wilder with 3:22 left in the opening half.  UCI led 32-29 at the break.

The 'Eaters opened the second half with a 9-2 run to lead 41-33 on a jumper by Flowers with 15:21 remaining, but the Highlanders answered with eight straight points, capped by a free throw from David Chavarria with 12:13 left, to draw even.

A layup by Flowers with 9:28 left later tied the game at 45-45 before UCR scored six of the next eight points to go ahead 51-47, setting up UCI's game-ending spurt.

The 'Eaters shot 38.5 percent from the field, including 29.6 percent in the second half.  UCR shot 45.1 percent for the game.  Each team hit five threes in the contest.

UCI outrebounded the Highlanders, 34-30.  The 'Eaters committed 16 turnovers but scored 22 points off 19 Highlander turnovers in the game that was televised on PRIME TICKET.

"My guys stuck their noses to it on defense and forced 19 turnovers from a good team," UCI head coach Russell Turner said. 

"The Homecoming crowd was great and I want to thank them for their energy that gave us a lift in the final eight minutes of the game and helped us get the win."

UCI continues its five-game homestand against UC Davis Thursday night at 7:30 and Pacific next Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

With the win over UCR, the 'Eaters moved over the .500 mark at home this season at 5-4.

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