NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (AP) — Derick Flowers scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead UC Irvine to a 71-62 victory Thursday over Cal State-Northridge in the Big West Conference opener for both teams.
Michael Wilder added 12 points and was 9 of 9 from the free-throw line for the Anteaters (4-9), and Daman Starring and Adam Folker chipped in 10 points apiece.
Stephan Hicks, the Big West’s second-leading scorer coming in, matched his season average with 17 points for the Matadors (3-8). Aqeel Quinn scored 15 points and Josh Greene had 14.
Northridge was just 21 of 61 (34 percent) from the field and 11 of 20 (55 percent) from the line.
Irvine never trailed and led 43-24 at halftime, but Northridge got within 55-52 on a Vinnie McGhee 3-pointer with 6:33 to play. The Anteaters responded with a 7-0 run over the next three minutes to seal the win.
