UC Irvine uses big 2nd half to beat Long Beach State, 58-54
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) Mamadou Ndiaye scored 13 points and UC Irvine roared back from a 10-point deficit to start the second half to post a 58-53 win over Long Beach State in a ''Black & Blue Rivalry'' game Thursday night.
Long Beach State built a 29-21 lead by intermission, but Irvine caught fire and outscored the 49ers by 12 in the second, 37-25. Jaron Martin tied the game at 36-36 on a layup with 13:52 left and Alex Young gave the Anteaters the lead for good, 40-39 with 9:58 left.
UC Irvine (14-5, 3-0 Big West) now has won seven of its last eight games.
Jaron Martin and Luke Nelson each scored 11 points for the Anteaters.
Nick Faust poured in 19 points to lead Long Beach (8-10, 2-1), but was the lone 49er to reach double figures.
Long Beach State leads in the rivalry series, 57-38.
