Box Score
IRVINE, Calif. --- Boston University jumped out to a 15-0 lead to start the game and weathered a second-half UC Irvine rally to top the Anteaters, 74-68, in a 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project Irvine Subregional game at the Bren Events Center Saturday.
The 'Eaters finally got on the board eight minutes into the game on a basket by John Ryan with 12:02 left in the opening half.
UCI pulled within five on two occasions in the first half and trailed 33-25 at halftime.
The 'Eaters took a 42-40 lead with 13:06 left in the game on back-to-back baskets by freshman Luke Nelson, but the Terriers (3-2) then went on a 17-2 run over the next 4 ½ minutes to move ahead 57-44 after a layup by D. J. Irving with 8:26 remaining.
The closest UCI (3-3) came after that point was the final score of 74-68 as Travis Souza hit a three with four seconds left.
Junior Will Davis II led the 'Eaters with 12 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Mamadou Ndiaye scored 11 points and grabbed seven boards while senior guard Chris McNealy scored 10 points.
Irving led Boston U. (3-2) with 18 points, Dom Morris added 17 and Malik Thomas 12.
The Terriers shot 50 percent from the field in the game and UCI 42.9 percent, the first time this season that the 'Eaters have been under 50 percent.
Boston U. hit 10 of 18 threes, including 7 of 11 in the opening half. UCI was 4 of 13 from beyond the arc. The Terriers were 16 of 19 from the foul line and the 'Eaters 10 of 14. UCI outrebounded Boston U., 36-29.
"I give Boston U. a lot of credit," UCI head coach Russell Turner said. "They are a good, veteran team that was focused and ready to play, much more than we were."
The Classic ends Sunday as Boston U. takes on LIU Brooklyn at 1:30 p.m. and UCI faces Eastern Washington at 4:00 p.m.
__________________________________________________________
For UC Irvine Athletics ticket information, please call (949) 824-5000 or e-mail athletics.tickets@uci.edu. For more information click here.
For information on how you can help support UC Irvine Athletics, please call (949) 824-6933 or e-mail aaf@uci.edu. For additional information, click here.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
