IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine could not overcome a second half surge by Nevada in a 76-65 loss to the Wolf Pack at the Bren Events Center Saturday.

Nevada (8-0) shot 55.2 percent (16-29) in the second half, hitting 7-13 three-pointers to keep the Anteaters at bay. UCI (4-6) gave Nevada one of its toughest tests of the season as the Wolf Pack's 76 points was second lowest of the season.

The Anteaters shot 43.1 percent from the field (28-65) overall, going 4-15 from beyond the arc. UCI controlled the glass, out-rebounding the Wolf Pack 45-32.

The Anteater bench accounted for 38 points led by Eyassu Worku's 13 and Tommy Rutherford's 10. Brandon Smith went 4-6 from the floor, recording nine points, while Elston Jones grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to go with seven points and two blocks.

Four Nevada players led the attack with Jordan Caroline posting a double-double with game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. Kendall Stephens hit 5-7 from three-point range on his way to 17 points. Caleb Martin added 15 points and two steals and Cody
Martin had 11 points and six rebounds.

Nevada jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead before Brandon Smith scored UCI's first point at 16:41.

The Wolf Pack would build an 18-6 lead with 12:30 remaining in the first half, before the Anteaters would catch fire, outscoring Nevada 20-6, the last a block by Elston Jones that led to an John Edgar Jr. fast break layup and a three-pointer by Evan Leonard to give UCI its first lead of the game, 26-24 at 4:05. After a pair of free throws by Nevada's Jordan Caroline knotted the score at 26 all, a basket by Eyassu Worku, a free throw by Jones and a layup by Smith closed out the half with the Anteaters holding the 31-26 advantage. 

Kendal Stephens would knock down back-to back three-pointers and Caroline would battle for a rebound put-back to force a UCI timeout as Nevada went back in front 42-37 at 15:29. Two more from long range extended the Wolf Pack lead to 48-42 at 13:42. A three-pointer by Worku was followed by a Jones layup at 5:50 to draw the Anteaters within 64-59, but the Wolf Pack would answer, scoring the next four. After a Smith free throw, Caroline would hit a three-pointer to give Nevada its largest lead of the half, 71-60 with 1:32 to go. Worku hit a jumper with 48 seconds left (73-65), but that would be UCI's last points as Caleb Martin came back down the court and hit a three-pointer to close out the scoring.   

Anteater faithful will have to wait until Dec. 28 to see the team back at the Bren Events Center as the squad will play the next five games on the road. UCI will start the road swing, traveling to Utah State Wednesday (Dec. 6) for a 6:00 p.m. PT tip-off.