Nelson has 20 points, UC Irvine beats Santa Clara 79-61
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) Luke Nelson nailed 4 of 5 from long range for 20 points to lead UC Irvine to a dominating 79-61 win over Santa Clara in the opening of the Wooden Legacy on Monday night.
Nelson was 6 of 8 from the floor and dished out six assists. Mamadou Ndiaye made 5 of 8 field goal attempts for 15 points and Brandon Smith added 13 points.
The Anteaters (4-0) are off to their best start since opening the 1982-83 season 5-0.
UC Irvine was 24 of 56 (42.9%) from the floor while limiting the Broncos to 17-of-67 (25.4%) shooting.
The Anteaters sprinted to a 29-6 lead with 6:38 remaining in the first half and held a 35-19 halftime advantage. They kept pressing and led 60-34 with 10:06 left in the game.
Jared Brownridge, who made 11 of 12 free throws, led Santa Clara (0-5) with 19 points.
