It looked like we were about to have an upset to open the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, but UC Irvine took care of business in the second half to move into the championship game.
In the first twenty minutes everything seemed to go right for the Sam Houston State Bearkats.
Despite being out matched by UC Irvine's elite size, the Bearkats rebounded like hell, finished around the rim, and pestered UC Irvine on the defensive end to grab a surprising early lead.
But in the second half, UC Irvine's length, shot making, and play making ability rose to another level to grind past Sam Houston State 63-53 in the opening game of the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.