Fells propels UCI

IRVINE — Powerfully built at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, junior third-year starter Darren Fells was expected to be the UC Irvine men’s basketball team’s backside this season.

In UCI’s 82-65 exhibition victory over Chicago-based NAIA school St. Xavier Thursday night, he proved he might also be his team’s backbone.

Fells, a preseason first-team All-Big West Conference selection who averaged 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore center, led the winners with 17 points and six steals. He also contributed five rebounds and four assists.

With UCI holding a tenuous 32-21 halftime lead, Fells opened the final 20 minutes by stealing the ball from the Cougars. He then made a 16-foot jumper, assisted on Adam Templeton’s three-pointer, and converted a transition layup to help the hosts open the half with a 7-3 run.

Fells made all five second-half field-goal attempts and was seven for eight from the field overall.

Junior guard Chuma Awaki had 15 points, while junior Patrick Sanders (10 points and five rebounds) and Templeton (13 points and a team-leading seven rebounds) also stepped up to help the ‘Eaters, depleted by injuries, pull away for the win.

Junior Marcus McIntosh, who sat out last season after transferring from Texas A&M;, had nine points and four assists for the Anteaters.

But Fells was the catalyst, particularly after UCI struggled through a jittery first half.

“I love being in the leadership role,” said Fells, who is anchoring a frontcourt without 6-6 senior Nic Campbell (bulging disc), 6-9 senior Mark Kelley (hip flexor injury), and 6-8 junior transfer Kevin Bland (redshirting after breaking his collarbone). “It forces me to work harder and do the things I have to do.”

Fells said his team’s first-half struggles were initiated by poor defense.

“But in the second half, we came together on defense and locked them down,” Fells said. “We knew we were a better team than we showed in the first half.”

UCI trailed, 26-23, before going on a 9-2 run near the end of the first half, which ended on a Cougars’ three-pointer.

An Awaji three ball three minutes into the second half, sparked a 10-0 run that procuced a 49-36 advantage.

St. Xavier closed to within 63-58 with 6:27 left, but a three-point play by Templeton triggered a 9-2 UCI spurt that helped the hosts prevail before a sparse crowd of 813.

UCI shot 67.7% from the field in the final 20 minutes, 60% overall (33 of 55). The ‘Eaters had nine turnovers, while forcing 21.

Exhibition

UC Irvine 82, St. Xavier 65

St. Xavier -- Bolger 9, Lowe 6, K. McCormick 9, Waller 0, Riddle 3, Scott 11, VonShae Davis 9, C. McCormick 8, Hoffma 3, Aiyar 3, Monroe 3, Rudnick 1.

3-pt. goals -- K. McCormick 1, Riddle 1, Aiyar 1, Hoffman 1, Bolger 1, Monroe 1, VonShae Davis 1.

UC Irvine -- Sanders 10, Templeton 13, Fells 17, Awaji 15, McIntosh 9, Hunter 6, Johnson 6, Gieler 4, Osborn 2.

3-pt. goals -- Templeton 2, Awaji 1, McIntosh 1.