HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering offensive start and a relentless response, UC Irvine used a dominant first half to overpower Cal State Northridge 93-78 in a Big West Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at Dollar Loan Center.

The Anteaters, improving to 23-10 overall, seized control from the opening tip and never trailed, building a double-digit lead in the game’s first five minutes and weathering every subsequent push from the Matadors. The victory was fueled by a near-flawless offensive performance in the opening period, where UC Irvine shot 58% from the field and built a 49-37 halftime advantage that proved insurmountable.

The most important part of the game was UC Irvine’s immediate and sustained offensive eruption to begin the contest. The Anteaters scored on their first three possessions, starting with a Jurian Dixon three-pointer just 27 seconds in. They opened the game on a 12-2 run, hitting five of their first seven shots, while forcing two early Cal State Northridge turnovers. This set a commanding tone, forcing the Matadors to play from behind for the entire 40 minutes. Every time Cal State Northridge managed to trim the deficit to single digits, UC Irvine had an answer, usually from Derin Saran or Dixon, to stifle the momentum and rebuild its cushion.

Saran, a guard from Istanbul, Turkey, was the catalyst for UC Irvine, delivering a game-high 23 points in 32 minutes. He was efficient from all levels, shooting 9-of-16 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, while adding five assists. His backcourt partner, Jurian Dixon of San Diego, provided 18 points and seven assists, forming a duo that consistently broke down the Matadors’ defense. Kyle Evans of Aliso Viejo added 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds, controlling the interior.

Cal State Northridge, which fell to 20-14, was led by a heroic effort from guard Josiah Davis. The Kitchener, Canada native played 38 minutes and scored 26 points while dishing out eight assists, tirelessly attacking the basket to keep his team within striking distance. Forward Joshua O’Garro of George Town, Cayman Islands, contributed 22 points, and James Evans of Wichita, Kansas, chipped in 17, including three three-pointers.

Despite the high-scoring affair, the game was ultimately decided by efficiency and opportunity. While both teams took a similar number of shots, UC Irvine’s offense operated with greater precision, posting an offensive rating of 128.4 points per 100 possessions compared to Northridge’s 107.1. The Anteaters also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 17 of 22 attempts, while the Matadors attempted only eight free throws, making five. UC Irvine also won the battle on the offensive glass, securing 13 rebounds to Northridge’s seven, leading to critical second-chance points.

The Anteaters’ ball movement and shot creation were superior, as evidenced by their 10 made three-pointers on 25 attempts, matching Northridge’s output but on two fewer attempts. Defensively, UC Irvine protected the rim with five blocks and matched Northridge’s six steals, disrupting the Matadors’ rhythm just enough to maintain their lead throughout the second half.

Cal State Northridge made several concerted efforts to rally, cutting a 15-point first-half deficit down to nine on multiple occasions and staying within 10 to 12 points for much of the second half. Each time, however, UC Irvine responded with a critical basket, often from Saran, to extinguish the threat. A late 7-0 run by the Anteaters, capped by a Kyle Evans dunk with just over a minute to play, pushed the lead back to 15 and sealed the contest.

The game was a showcase of two of the Big West’s top offensive talents in Saran and Davis, but UC Irvine’s supporting cast made the difference. Andre Henry scored 12 points off the bench, and Tama Isaac provided nine points and solid defense. The Anteaters’ balanced attack and early dominance provided a cushion that allowed them to manage the game comfortably down the stretch.

With the win, UC Irvine continues its strong late-season form and will look to carry this momentum forward. Cal State Northridge, despite the loss, demonstrated the offensive firepower that has defined its season but was ultimately undone by an opponent that executed at a higher level from the opening minute.