SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Senior guard Jaron Martin scored 17 points and freshman guard Eyassu Worku added a career-high 15 to lead UC Irvine over South Dakota State, 63-52, at the Sanford Pentagon Showcase in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday night.
Martin tied his career high with eight rebounds and added four assists as the Anteaters improved to 3-2 on the season. Worku pulled down a career-best seven boards for UCI, which defeated the Jackrabbits for the second time in 11 days as the Anteaters won 73-58 at the Bren Events Center Nov. 14.
Friday's game also marked the first time that UCI played in the state of South Dakota in the 52-year history of the Anteater program. Sophomore forward Jonathan Galloway grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and added nine points while senior center Ioannis Dimakopoulos had seven points and six boards.
Redshirt freshman guard Max Hazzard also scored seven points, sophomore guard Spencer Rivers recorded a career-high three assists and freshman forward Tommy Rutherford registered career bests of five rebounds and three blocked shots.
Mike Daum led South Dakota State (1-5) with 23 points and 18 boards, and Reed Tellinghuisen added 11 points.
UCI trailed 11-3 with 14:04 left in the first half before going on a 30-9 run to take a 33-20 lead at halftime.
After the Jackrabbits closed to within nine at 42-33 on two free throws by Daum with 9:31 left in the game, the Anteaters went on a 9-2 run to go up 51-35 on a foul shot by Martin with 4:12 remaining to seal the win.
UCI had a 48-35 margin on the boards and shot 36 percent from the field to 26 percent for South Dakota State as the 'Eaters won for the 59th time in the last 63 games when holding the opponents below 40 percent.
The 'Eaters outscored the Jacks in the paint, 22-14, and UCI's bench scored 23 points to South Dakota State's four.
This was UCI's 60th win in the last 62 games when limiting the opposition to 60 points or less.
Coach Russell Turner's UCI squad continues play in the Showcase Saturday, facing Milwaukee at 12:00 p.m. (PT).
The Anteaters will face East Tennessee State Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (PT).
