Chris McNealy had 15 points and seven assists and UC Irvine closed the game on a 7-1 run to defeat Southern Utah 78-73 Saturday night.
In a BracketBusters game that featured 12 lead changes, Michael Wilder provided the final one when he hit a 3-pointer with 2:36 remaining to put the Anteaters (10-17) ahead 74-72. Adam Folker added a layup while McNealy and Wilder each hit a late free throw to help Irvine pull away.
Collin Chiverton led Eastern Washington (12-15) with 20 points. Cliff Colimon added 13, Tremayne Johnson and Cliff Ederaine 11 each and Parker Kelly 10.
Irvine also got 13 points each from Wilder and Daman Starring, 12 from Mike Best and 11 from Folker. The Anteaters shot 62 percent from the floor and hit 8 of 14 3-pointers, which helped offset 23 turnovers and 12 of 25 shooting from the free-throw line.
