Southern Miss Holds Off UC-Irvine, 78-67

Thursday, November 24

Anchorage, Ak.

11:30 PM

Southern Miss

UC Irvine

Southern Miss Holds Off UC-Irvine, 78-67

11/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Nov. 25, 2011

Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format

ANCHORAGE, Ak. (AP) - Senior forward Torye Pelham had a career-high 17 points Thursday night to lead Southern Mississippi to a 78-67 victory over UC Irvine in the opening round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena.

The Golden Eagles (3-1) also got 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks from guard Maurice Bolden, plus 10 points, nine assists and a pair of steals from reserve guard Neil Watson.

The Anteaters (0-4) were led by 15 points and 11 rebounds from guard Chris McNealy and 15 points from guard swingman Daman Starring.

USM held UCI to just 1-of-12 shooting to start the game and held onto the lead throughout. The Anteaters drew within 25-24 late in the first half, but the Golden Eagles answered with a 9-0 run that spanned halftime and left the Conference-USA squad in control. USM pushed its largest lead to 15 on five occasions, the last coming on Watson's layup at the 6:16 mark, making it 61-46.

The Golden Eagles now move into Friday's late semifinal against New Mexico State. Tip-off is set for 11 p.m. CT.