IRVINE -- Luke Nelson nailed 4 of 5 from long range for 20 points to lead UC Irvine to a dominating 79-61 win over Santa Clara in the opening of the Wooden Legacy on Monday night.
Nelson was 6 of 8 from the floor and dished out six assists. Mamadou Ndiaye made 5 of 8 field goal attempts for 15 points and Brandon Smith added 13 points.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The Anteaters (4-0) are off to their best start since opening the 1982-83 season 5-0.
UC Irvine was 24 of 56 (42.9%) from the floor while limiting the Broncos to 17-of-67 (25.4%) shooting.
The Anteaters sprinted to a 29-6 lead with 6:38 remaining in the first half and held a 35-19 halftime advantage. They kept pressing and led 60-34 with 10:06 left in the game.
Jared Brownridge, who made 11 of 12 free throws, led Santa Clara (0-5) with 19 points.