EL PASO, Texas – UC Irvine captured the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational with an 89-70 victory over Norfolk State at the Don Haskins Center Monday.

The Anteaters shot 57.6% (19-33) in the first half to lead 46-25 at the break and never looked back. UCI finished the game, going 32-60 from the field (53.3%), including eight threes and 17-20 (85.0%) from the free throw line.

Senior forward Kyle Evans was named the Invitational MVP, recording a game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots. He was once again efficient offensively, making 8-12 from the floor and 6-7 from the line.

Guard Jurian Dixon was named to the All-Invitational team, totaling 13 points on 5-11 shooting from the floor, knocking down three three-pointers. He added three assists, two rebounds and a steal.

It is UCI's second Sun Bowl Invitational title, also winning the championship in 2015. The Anteaters close out the non-conference schedule with a 9-5 mark.

HEAD COACH RUSSELL TURNER SAID:
"Our team played well tonight against a Norfolk State team that we totally respect and know will have a good year. They had a tough schedule traveling and playing four games in five nights, but we played three in four nights so it was a tough challenge for both teams. I was pleased with the leadership that my veterans showed and with the spirit and competitiveness that we showed from the very beginning of the game tonight. We are proud to be a part of this tournament and go home with another trophy. We are grateful."

"It's cool for UC Irvine to have done this before and to do it again. It's really about these players and their opportunity to come here. The special way this city greets visitors and the Sun Bowl Committee welcomes people in the airport and just the general hospitality is difficult to describe to guys who haven't seen or felt it. I've seen it and felt it so to come and be successful in front of knowledgeable college basketball fans and people who like what our team represents feels special for these guys."

MVP KYLE EVANS SAID:
"I'm excited about the opportunity to compete. Winning the championship feels really good, but we know we have a lot of season ahead of us. Jurian said it last night, try not to get too high or too low. This is a big trip for us and I think we learned a lot about ourselves and will continue to learn more about ourselves as the season goes on. We will take these next few days to recover and get back to it."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
>Forward Harrison Carrington went 5-8 from the field and 6-7 from the line for 16 points. He had five rebounds, three assists and two steals 
>Guard Derin Saran scored 14 points on the strength of 6-8 from the floor, including 2-3 from beyond the arc. He posted nine assists, five rebounds and three steals
>Guard Tama Isaac recorded seven points, four assists and two steals, while guard Andre Henry added five points, three rebounds, and a steal
>Anthony McComb III led Norfolk State with 17 points
>The Spartans shot 50.0% (15-30) in the second half and 45.1% (23-51) for the game
>The Anteaters out-rebounded the Spartans, 35-24 and dominated points in the paint, 42-22
>Norfolk State (6-9) had 15 turnovers resulting in 20 Anteater points

FIRST HALF
>UCI jumped out to a quick start with two layups by Derin Saran made around a Jurian Dixon three-pointer, 7-0, (17:36)
>The Spartans answered, tying it at 8 all (16:23)
>UCI scored the next seven on a Tama Isaac three, a Nes Emeneke jumper and a Dixon layup, 15-8 (14:33)
>The Anteaters then exploded on a 22-4 run that included nine points from Harrison Carrington and was capped by Dixon layup with 23 seconds to go before a Spartan three at the buzzer sent the teams into the locker room with UCI holding the 46-25 lead

SECOND HALF
>A Dixon three-pointer was followed by a pair of Jovan Jester Jr. free throws to stretch the lead to 60-34 (13:37)
>A Saran three-pointer gave UCI its largest lead of 27 (77-50) with 6:58 to play
>In the final 3:31, Ben Egbo drove baseline for a layup, Evans knocked down two free throws, Emeneke had a free throw and Tishan Ahir drained a three-pointer to close out the Anteater scoring, 89-70

NOTES
>UCI is 3-1 on a neutral court this season
>UC Irvine is 6-2 overall in Sun Bowl games all-time
>The Anteaters shot over 50.0% for the second consecutive game and fourth time this season
>All but one player added at least two points in the victory
 
UP NEXT
UCI will take a break for the holiday and return to Big West action on Jan. 1 at Cal State Bakersfield. Tip is 2:00 p.m.