EL PASO, Texas – The Norfolk State Spartans fell in the championship game of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, dropping an 89–70 decision to the UC Irvine Anteaters on Monday evening at the Don Haskins Center. 

Norfolk State moves to 6-9 on the season, while UC Irvine improves to 9-5. 

Anthony McComb III led the Spartans with 17 points, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He added two rebounds, one assist, and went 4-of-7 from the free throw line. Dian Wright-Forde provided a strong spark off the bench, scoring 14 points with five rebounds and two assists while shooting 4-of-7 from the floor and 6-of-7 at the charity stripe. 

UC Irvine jumped out to an early 7-0 lead before Norfolk State responded with an 8-2 run to knot the score at 8-all with 16:23 remaining in the opening half. Devon Ellis and McComb each connected from long range, while Elijah Jamison added a short pull-up jumper during the surge. 

The Anteaters answered with a 9-2 run to take a 17-10 advantage before a My'kel Jenkins jumper halted the momentum with 12:32 left. UC Irvine continued to control the pace over the next six minutes, using a 16-10 run to extend its lead to 33-20. The Anteaters closed the half on a 13-5 run, carrying a 46-25 advantage into the break. 

Norfolk State showed renewed energy in the second half, nearly doubling its first-half output by scoring 45 points after halftime. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome as UC Irvine maintained control and secured the 89-70 victory. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE  

• Final Score: UC Irvine 89, Norfolk State 70 
• Anthony McComb III: 17 points, two rebounds and one assist 
• Dian Wright-Forde added 14 points with five rebounds and two assists  
• Norfolk State shot 45.1 percent from the field (23-of-51), 53.3 percent from three-point range (8-of-15), and 80.0 percent from the free throw line (16-of-20).    

NEWS & NOTES   

• Norfolk State falls to 6-9  
• Head coach Robert Jones sits eight wins away from career victory No. 250     

UP NEXT  

The Spartans are back in action on Sunday, Dec. 28, as Norfolk State continues its road swing with a trip to Louisiana to face the Ragin' Cajuns.