Feb. 28, 2008

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. --- Senior forward Patrick Sanders scored 23 points as UC Irvine rallied to defeat a determined Long Beach State squad, 64-57, in Big West Conference action at the Bren Events Center Thursday night.

With the victory, UCI improves to 9-0 at the Bren Center this season and 10-0 overall in games on campus.

Sophomore guard Michael Hunter added 15 points for the Anteaters (13-14, 7-6). Senior center Darren Fells had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists while junior forward Kevin Bland added seven points and seven boards in 21 reserve minutes.

Junior guard Donovan Morris poured in a game-high 25 points for the 49ers (6-21, 3-10) with 20 of those coming in the second half. Cornel Williams added 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Long Beach State led 24-22 at halftime and extended its lead to 38-30 on a free throw by Williams with 14:33 remaining in the game. UCI then went on a 10-0 run to take a 40-38 lead at 12:23 on a jumper by Sanders.

The 49ers took their last lead of the game at 55-53 on a three by Morris with 4:29 left but Sanders scored 11 of the game's last 13 points to seal the "Black & Blue Rivalry" win for the Anteaters.

Both teams shot 46 percent from the field and UCI recorded a season-low five turnovers. The Anteaters held a slight 27-25 rebounding edge.

UCI hosts league-leading Cal State Northridge Saturday night at 8:30 in the Homecoming game that will be televised by Fox Sports Net Prime Ticket.