Nelson, UC Irvine overwhelm Chapman 87-36

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) Luke Nelson scored 20 points, John Ryan added 14 with four blocks and UC Irvine dominated Division-III Chapman 87-36 in the season opener for both teams on Friday night.

The Anteaters shot a scorching 67.3 percent from the field. Nelson made four of UC Irvine's eight 3-pointers. Mamadou Ndiaye had nine points and Will Davis II had six with six rebounds and five assists.

UC Irvine smothered Chapman, holding the Panthers to 12-of-50 shooting (24 percent) and forcing 19 turnovers. Colin Zavrsnick had 10 points and Justin Young grabbed eight boards for Chapman.

Nelson hit two 3-pointers to spark an 18-0 run that gave the Anteaters a 23-5 lead midway through the first half. They led 40-16 at the break and coasted in the second half, finishing with 48 points in the paint and 33 off turnovers.