UCI loses to LSU

MEN’S BASKETBALL

LSU 66, UC Irvine 59

BATON ROUGE, La. — Junior Mike Wilder had 19 points to pace the Anteaters in the nonconference game Thursday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Wilder made five of 10 three-point tries as UCI shot 33.3% from the field and 22.2% from three-point range (six for 27).

UCI (2-8) outscored the Tigers, 43-38, after halftime, when Wilder pumped in 16 points.

Chris McNealy had nine points, eight rebounds and three assists for UCI, which had 14 turnovers and lost the rebounding battle, 50-46.

Adam Folker (eight rebounds) and Daman Starring (seven boards) had six points apiece for the visitors.

LSU, which has won four straight, is 7-3.

UCI returns to action Tuesday against UCLA at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.