Nelson leads UC Irvine to 63-53 win over Sam Houston State

EL PASO, Texas (AP) Luke Nelson had 16 points and Mike Best added 14 to lead UC Irvine to a 63-53 come-from-behind victory over Sam Houston State in the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Monday night.

Nelson also had three assists and one steal. Jaron Martin added nine points and Alex Young had six points, four assists and two steals for UC Irvine (9-4) which won back-to-back games for the first time since starting the season 4-0.

The victory left coach Russell Turner just one win shy of 100 victories in his sixth season with the Anteaters.

UC Irvine trailed most of the first half and was behind 30-25 at the break. Young nailed a 3-point jumper at the 16:25 mark to start a 16-4 run and give the Anteaters a 46-38 lead with 9:16 left.

Aurimas Majauskas led Sam Houston State (5-6) with 16 points.