ORANGE, Calif. – The No. 23 Concordia University Irvine men's basketball team opened its regular season Friday with an encouraging 92-86 victory over UT-Permian Basin. The game was played at Santiago Canyon College as part of the DII Tip-Off Classic.

Preseason All-PacWest Conference selection Rob McCoy led CUI with 20 points and eight rebounds. Senior Jamel White added 17 points and a team-high four assists, while Kayle Knuckles contributed 17 points and Jalen Sanders added 11.

CUI converted eight of its first ten field goals to build an early 20-9 lead after a three-pointer by Mike Mellinger.  McCoy punctuated a superb first half for the Green and Gold with a dunk off a pass from fellow newcomer Andre Green. CUI led comfortably 50-27 at intermission.

"The teams in this tournament are some of the best in their regions so that was a big win for us and a great start," said CUI head coach Ken Ammann. "I was glad to see us extend the lead like that in the first half. We had many chances to do that in our exhibition games but never did so that was a good step for us."

The Eagles shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field in the first half and finished the game shooting at a 51.7 percent clip. CUI also sank 13 treys and shot a blistering 9-for-18 from behind the arc in the first half.

Knuckles shot 6-for-10 from the floor and 3-for-7 from three-point land. He scored nine of the Eagles first ten points in the second half as the Eagles extended their lead to as many as 26. But UTPB was determined to get back into the contest.

UTPB was able to cut the CUI led to three on two occasions late in the game. But McCoy, White and Darius Lee combined to go 5-for-8 at the free throw line to help CUI close out the contest.

"It was a great opportunity to learn how to play with a lead also," added Ammann. "That team was extremely talented and they made adjustments that we didn't handle well. Helpful to learn some valuable lessons while still getting a win."

"It can be frustrating and rattling when a lead like that completely evaporates, so the guys showed good maturity and toughness to stay focused enough to get it done."

The Eagles will continue play in the DII Tip-Off Classic on Saturday when they face Wayne State at 3:15 p.m.

For the full CUI men's basketball schedule, click here.