Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Daman Starring erupted for a game-high 23
points as the UC Irvine Anteaters knocked off the USC Trojans, 61-54, in non-
conference play at the Galen Center.
Starring made good on 8-of-15 shots from the floor, including 5-of-6 behind
the 3-point line, as the Anteaters (6-7) won for the second time in the last
three outings. Also scoring in double figures for the visitors was Adam Folker
who tallied 12 points.
The Trojans (4-7), losers of six of their last seven after opening the
campaign with three wins in four tries, were paced by Omar Oraby with 12
points and Eric Wise with 10.
Leading almost the entire game, the Anteaters moved out to a 37-25 advantage
at the break when Chris McNealy converted a layup at the buzzer. Irvine turned
the ball over just three times in the first half, leading to a mere two points
for the hosts.
In the second half, UCI maintained a double-digit lead for much of the period,
but a layup by USC's Byron Wesley with just over three minutes to play made
the score 59-54. However, a basket by Folker at the 2:38 mark for the
Anteaters pushed the lead back to seven points and from there both teams went
scoreless.
USC won the rebounding battle, 34-28, but the team was also guilty of 16
turnovers which prevented the Trojans from completing the comeback bid.
The victory for the Anteaters was their first against USC since 1983.
GAME NOTES:
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