IRVINE, California -- Sophomore guard Alex Young had 18 points and six assists to lead UC Irvine past Morgan State, 75-63, in a non-conference game at the Bren Center Thursday night.
Junior forward Will Davis II added 14 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and ninth of his career. Junior post John Ryan also scored 14 points to tie his career high, hitting 6 of 6 from the field, as the Anteaters improved to 8-7 on the season.
Mamadou Ndiaye, UCI's 7-6 freshman center, added 12 points and four blocked shots. He converted all six of his field-goal attempts as he and Ryan combined to go 12 for 12 from the floor.
Freshman guard Luke Nelson registered nine points and four assists. Senior guard Chris McNealy scored eight points and he now has 995 in his career as he closes in becoming the 23rd player in Anteater history to score 1,000 points.
Young and McNealy pulled down six rebounds apiece while Ryan snared five boards in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
UCI, which led 32-26 at halftime, shot 62 percent from the field in the second half and 56 percent for the game.
Justin Black led Morgan State (3-10) with 17 points and he added nine rebounds. Ian Chiles scored 16 points while Anthony Hubbard had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
A three by Young with 6:29 left in the first half snapped a 17-17 tie in giving UCI the lead for good at 20-17. That three keyed a 10-0 run by the 'Eaters.
The Anteaters extended their six-point halftime lead to 18 at 53-35 on a basket by Davis with 11:41 remaining. UCI maintained a double-digit lead the remainder of the game, with its largest lead coming at 72-53 on a free throw by Ryan with 2:31 left.
The Bears, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, shot 38 percent from the floor and committed just six turnovers. UCI had a narrow 37-34 edge on the boards and the Anteaters had 13 turnovers.
"We've had a tough schedule lately and tonight showed us that we continue to get better," UCI head coach Russell Turner said. "What I like is our ability to play different styles with the personnel we have on the floor."
The Anteaters host San Diego Christian Saturday night at 7:00 in their final non-conference game before opening Big West Conference play at Long Beach State next Thursday night.
Box Score
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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