IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — The Belmont Bruins used a decisive second-half surge to defeat the UC Irvine Anteaters 84-58 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Friday night at Bren Events Center.

Leading by just two points at halftime, the Bruins outscored the Anteaters 46-22 after the break to pull away. Nic McClain led Belmont with 12 points and eight assists, while Drew Scharnowski added 14 points. Jurian Dixon scored 17 points for UC Irvine.

Belmont improved to 12-1 overall. UC Irvine fell to 7-5. An announced crowd of 1,853 attended.