HENDERSON, Nev. – In a classic west coast battle, freshman guard Derin Saran powered the Anteater offense in the 76-60 victory over Pepperdine in the first game of the Ball Dawgs Classic at The Dollar Loan Center.

Saran poured in a career-best 16 points on 7-9 (.778) shooting from the floor with eight grabs off the glass.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
> Saran posted his third double figure scoring effort of the season in the victory
> Guard Andre Henry contributed 10 points with his 4-6 shooting
> Guard Langston Redfield set his career-best in points with eight
> Forward Devin Tillis had an eye grabbing stat line of seven points, six rebounds, and five assists
> Pierre Crockrell II, Dean Keeler, and Langston Redfield all dished out three assists apiece
> Carter Welling and Hayden Welling saw action on the floor together for the first time this season, recording two and four points, respectively
>The Anteaters shot 60.7 percent (17-28) from the floor in the second half for their third game shooting over .500
>Pepperdine was led by Michael Ajayi with 16 points and 11 rebounds

FROM HEAD COACH RUSSELL TURNER
"I thought we had a good edge about us tonight to start the game. This is an arena where we hope to return to in March to play for all the marbles. We came out playing tonight like a tournament team which is not easy to do any time of year, much less a holiday week. Our guys did a good job of that, and I am really pleased holding another team to 60 [points]. I think tonight really validated that Derin was really effective for us."

FROM DERIN SARAN
"This game was really important for our team, so we did whatever we could to come in as prepared as possible. Coming off the bench, I try to give as much impact as possible. When the starting five comes off the floor, I try to be that scoring guy and contribute as much as possible to the game."

FIRST HALF
> Both teams got on the board off free throws before Andre Henry went off for a jum shot in the paint (17:53) and three ball (16:45) for the Anteaters first lead of the game, 7-5
> UC Irvine and Pepperdine went blow for blow until Derin Saran nailed a triple from the left side and Pierre Crockrell II grabbed the offensive rebound for the put in to keep the 'Eaters ahead, 18-14 (10:16)
> The Waves cut their deficit down to one point four times over the course of three minutes, but Ofure Ujadughele drew the and-1 call on his second chance lay-in (3:18) to keep UCI ahead, 29-25
> Saran drove to the hoop off the back cut while Ujadughele picked the pocket of a Wave for the easy trip through the paint to hold the 34-30 advantage into the half

SECOND HALF
> Crockrell II did part by grabbing the deflection off the rim on the offensive end for the second chance opportunity then dished out to Langston Redfield behind the arc, 39-32 (16:53)
> Pepperdine's three-pointer was then answered by a long rang shot from Hohn off the quick flick from Crockrell II, 42-35
>UCI would see their lead cut to two points after Pepperdine his a jumper and banked in a shot on consecutive offensive possessions, 48-46 (11:14)
>The Anteaters went on a 20-4 run over five and a half minutes that started with a Dylan Thoerner three-pointer off the fast break and was capped off by Redfield's triple at 4:41, 68-50
> UCI led by as much as 20 with 2:38 left in the game when Redfield striped the offensive player of the ball finding Dean Keeler for the lay-up, 75-55
> Saran added one more point to the Anteater total, closing out the game for UCI, 76-60

UP NEXT
The Anteaters take on Toledo late Wednesday evening (Nov. 22) for an 8:45 p.m. tip.