UC Irvine Runs Past Fairleigh Dickinson, 75-54

Eaters capitalize on strong second half

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RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior guard Michael Hunter scored 16 points to lead UC Irvine over Fairleigh Dickinson, 75-54, in a sub-regional game of the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic at Richmond, Ky., Wednesday night.

Hunter hit 6 of 9 field goals and by converting 1 of 4 threes, he is tied with Ben Jones (1997-01) for No. 4 all-time at UCI with 168 three-point field goals.

Freshman guard Mike Wilder scored 12 points, hitting 3 of 4 from the field including 2 of 2 on threes, and sophomore forward Eric Wise added 11 points, six assists and two steals.

Wise was named to the all-tournament team after recording 45 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and four steals in three tourney games.

The Anteaters (3-3), who led 39-35 at the break, outscored Fairleigh Dickinson (1-5), 36-19, in the second half.

Sean Baptiste led the Knights with 19 points, all in the first half.

UCI opened the second half with a 9-0 run capped by a Hunter steal and layup with 16:34 remaining for a 48-35 lead.

Fairleigh Dickinson closed to within seven at 57-50 on a three-pointer by Mike Scott with 7:21 left but two free throws each by Wilder, Hunter and Darren Moore extended the lead to 63-50 as the Anteaters gradually pulled away.

Wilder hit 8 of 11 threes in the last two games. Sophomore forward Adam Folker had six rebounds against Fairleigh Dickinson and a total of 22 in three tournament games. Senior center Zack Atkinson, who missed the first two tourney contests with a shoulder injury, started Wednesday night and registered seven points and three rebounds.

"Obviously, we had a strong second half but I thought we played okay in the first as well," UCI head coach Pat Douglass said.

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"Adam Folker and Mike Wilder had good tournaments and improved their play. Eric Wise is still our go-to guy and he also had a solid tournament.

"We faced some good competition in the tournament and made some strides as a team as we prepare for another tough team coming up," Douglass added.

UCI hosts Hawaii Wednesday (Dec. 2) night at 7:05 in the Bren Center.