IRVINE, Calif. – In the return to their home court, UC Irvine put on an offensive showcase that saw seven Anteaters score in double figures in the 121-78 win over South Dakota on Saturday evening.

Forward Dean Keeler led the offensive charge behind his career high 22 points in an efficient 14 minutes on the floor. Keeler shot 9-11 (0.818) from the floor, grabbed eight rebounds, and denied two attempts at the basket.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
> Forward Devin Tillis scored 16 points on perfect 7-7 shooting from the floor and 2-2 from three-point range
> Guard Derin Saran's basket in the final seconds lifted him to 15 points in the game and he dished out a career best four assists
> Guard Dylan Thoerner and forward Carter Welling each contributed 14 points to the Anteater total
> Thoerner poured in season bests in points and three-pointers made (4)
> C. Welling had his first double digit showing in his young career
> Guard Pierre Crockrell II recorded his first double-double of the season behind 12 points and career high 11 assists
> Guard Justin Hohn posted 11 points for his sixth consecutive game in double figures
> UCI showed strength off the glass, controlling the rebounds 43-24
> The Anteaters scored 72 of their points in the paint, their best so far in the 2023-24 campaign
> South Dakota was led by Jevon Hill who had 13 points off the bench on 4-5 (0.800) shooting from the floor where three of his makes were from three-point range

FROM HEAD COACH RUSSELL TURNER
"We looked like a team that experienced a tough time on the road and some finals stress and we did let it all out tonight. We fought to get the win and had great contributions from a lot of guys. It was sure great to have Devin [Tillis] back and healthy and have him start the game like he did tonight. Pierre [Crockrell II] set the tone by spreading the ball around. It was a good effort by our squad and much needed after three straight losses."

"I have respect for South Dakota. They've been good, have a chance to continue to be good, and be effective in their league. They have a win against Cal State Bakersfield, so they are a solid team."

"I think our post players are progressing and that is important. Carter [Welling] has been excellent and I give him credit. He made a tough choice earlier on in the season and it is paying off. One of the reasons why Dean [Keeler] can do what he does is because of the pace and physicality Carter contributes as a freshman makes it pretty good for a guy to come off the bench and play behind."

FROM DEAN KEELER
"Tonight was a lot of fun. I think playing with our guards today we were really hitting the spots that we wanted to. They drove hard which gave me really good looks."

"We had a lot of really good bigs in the program when I have been here which has led to really competitive practices and what you saw here on the floor today from the big guys. I think they set a really great example for me when I came in as a freshman and I have kind of modeled what I have seen from Tommy Rutherford to take the leadership role on the team now that I am that senior big. I try to use my voice to bring the guys together and generate as much energy as I can."

FIRST HALF
> Pierre Crockrell II bounced his pass to Devin Tillis (19:40) to open the scoring before Carter Welling backed down his defender for UC Irvine to take the early 4-0 lead
> Tillis' offensive rebound for the shot and his back down of the defender to the hoop kept UCI ahead, 15-10 at 15:25
> South Dakota equalized the contest twice coming out of the media break, but Dean Keeler put a stop to that with six straight points where he found creative ways to scoot by the Coyote defenders, 21-19 (11:33)
> After leaving a South Dakota player wide open under the hoop (8:43), Crockrell II ran all around the court weaving in and out of defenders for the finish (8:00) and Ofure Ujadughele picked the pocket of a Coyote on South Dakota's next offensive possession to take it down for a layup (7:31), 31-23
> Keeler had another six-point scoring spurt in just a little over a minute (4:50-3:46) to extend the Anteater advantage, 47-29
> South Dakota hit a three-pointer and Justin Hohn answered with one of his own on the other end, 3:01
> In the final 26 seconds of the half, Keeler was fouled underneath. The shot was good, but he could not convert on the free throw as the Anteaters went into the locker room up 57-38

SECOND HALF
> UCI kept South Dakota silenced with two free throws and a juke out lay-in from Carter Welling (19:19, 18:55) and a Crockrell II floater (18:03) before the Yotes could get on the board at 17:02 with their fade away, 63-40
> Dylan Thoerner entered the scoring conversation after knocking down a three-pointer and asserting his dominance in the paint with a hook shot, 77-49 (13:23)
> Crockrell II had ice in his veins as he scored on three consecutive offensive drives (12:33, 12:14, and 11:42) to record his first double-double of the season, 83-51
> Hot from long range in the second half, Thoerner nailed back-to-back triples in just thirty seconds, 108-67 (4:18)
> Derin Saran, Ujadughele, and C. Welling combined for the Anteaters final 11 points as they walked away with the 121-78 home victory

NOTES
> UC Irvine is averaging a shocking 107.67 points per game in three games played inside the Bren Events Center, 106 against Division I opponents
> The last time UC Irvine scored 100 or more points against a Division I opponent was on March 7, 2019 when the Anteaters defeated Cal Poly 110-72 in San Luis Obispo
> UCI defeated their opponent in all five specialty stat categories
> The Anteaters were two field goal makes away (49 tonight) from tying the program record against a Division I opponent (51 set against VMI on Nov. 29, 1980)
> UCI turned the ball over five times, a season low
> 27 assists are the most dished out by the 'Eaters this season
> This was the second time this season five or more Anteaters scored in double figures and first against a Division I opponent since Dec. 31, 2022 at Cal State Bakersfield
> UC Irvine jumped up to 61 in KenPom, the program's highest ever ranking 

UP NEXT
UCI closes out non-conference competition with the Lobos of New Mexico on Wednesday, Dec. 20 with a 7 p.m. MT (6 p.m. PT) start.