UCI falls to Wyoming

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Wyoming 58, UC Irvine 48

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Junior guard Derick Flowers scored a career-high nine points, all in the final 10 minutes of the game, to lead the Anteaters (2-7) who saw a two-game winning streak end, in nonconference action Tuesday.

Junior center Adam Folker had eight points and six rebounds while junior forward Michael Wilder added six points, a game-high 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Freshman center Will Davis II had six points and six rebounds, and junior guard Daman Starring also scored six points and had a pair of steals.

UCI outrebounded the Cowboys, 36-27, but the Anteaters committed 19 turnovers to Wyoming’s 14.

UCI shot 37.7% from the field and Wyoming 45.7%, including 57.9% in the second half.

“We took the game down to the wire against a good Wyoming team, but their defense is outstanding and they hit a couple of threes down the stretch to extend the lead,” UCI head coach Russell Turner said.

“We did a good job with our game plan, but we haven’t fully established an offensive identity with a young team yet.”

Senior guard JayDee Luster scored a career-high 18 points and Luke Martinez added 13 to lead Wyoming (10-1), which is 9-0 at home this season.

UCI faces LSU Thursday night in Baton Rouge, La.