IRVINE, Calif. - Fueled by the emotions surrounding Senior Day and their featured "Code Yellow" home game sponsored by the Habit Burger Grill, the Concordia University Irvine men's water polo team came out firing on all cylinders against conference rival California Baptist University.

The Eagles opened up a 4-0 lead right out the gate on Friday and led the Lancers by a score of 6-3 at intermission. However, CBU switched up its strategy in the second half and rallied for a 13-11 win by ending the contest on a 7-2 tear.

Junior Patrik Zsiros led the CUI attack with four goals. Seniors Messan Moore and Austin Barton each scored twice to help pace the offense while senior Mitchell Iunker added two assists in the fourth quarter.

"I felt like in the first half we did very well on defense and we followed the game plan on offense," said Moore. "In the fourth quarter we kind of slipped up but we're going to work on that in practice and get better for all four quarters."

Recently named WWPA Player of the Week Marius Jakimcikas showcased his versatility once again by adding three goals, three steals and a game-high five assists.

Barton helped CUI get on track with back-to-back goals in the first quarter off passes from Jakimcikas. Freshman Nick Taylor fed Zsiros for his first goal before CBU got on the board to close out the opening period 4-1 in favor of CUI.

"It was definitely a great start," said Barton. "We allowed only three goals in the first half but ten in the second. I thought all our shots were good and opportunities were there but our defense is key and just has to be more consistent."

Senior goalie Cullen Mooers collected nine saves and a steal against the Lancers. He now has 196 saves on the season.

CUI honored its seven graduating seniors before the game. This was the last home contest for Barton, Iunker, Moores, Moore, Michael Marr, Cristiano Tomassetti and Nick Walker at Woollett Aquatics Center.

"It was a lot of fun to have our moment and our seniors make up a big part of this team so it was cool to have one last game together at Woollett," added Walker. "We should play them again in a few weeks so this was a good preview for (the) conference (tournament)."

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