IRVINE, Calif. – Five different Eagles scored in double figures Saturday as Concordia University Irvine fended off Hawai'i Hilo by a score of 96-85 on First Responders Night at CU Arena.

It wasn't easy sledding in their PacWest opener, but the Eagles shot the ball extremely well to notch their third straight win. The Green and Gold finished the contest shooting 59 percent from the floor.

"There were some tough stretches because Hilo is really, really good but that was the best we've shot the ball (this season) and the shot selection was better and it showed in the results," said CUI head coach Ken Ammann. "We shared the ball really well and scored almost 100 points against a really good team."

Concordia (7-3, 1-0 PacWest) converted 18 of its 32 field goals in the first half (56.3 percent) to set the tone. One key sequence came after the last media timeout in the first half, when Rob McCoy kicked the ball out to Jalen Sanders who drilled a trey to extend the CUI lead to 33-23. The Vulcans responded with an 8-2 run to claw back within 35-31 before Kyle Gray went on a personal 5-0 run by knocking down a trey and smoothly getting a layup to fall to end the spurt. CUI led 40-31 at intermission.

Andre Green had the hot hand against the Vulcans as the talented guard totaled 18 points on 9-for-13 shooting. Robert McCoy also was very efficient with a team-best 19 points. He and Kayle Knuckles led CUI on the glass with seven rebounds apiece.

Darius Lee provided a boost off the bench with four assists in the first half. He then attacked the paint more in the second half and scored five points during a nifty sequence midway throug the second half. CUI led 66-60 after he converted his third straight free throw.

CUI led by as many as 14 in the second half but to the Vulcans credit, they never stopped fighting to get back into the contest. After the Vulcans drew within five points and the score was 74-69, McCoy fed a cutting Jalen Sanders for a layup off a bounce pass to give the Eagles a little bit more breathing room. McCoy then hit a three-ball and Jamel White drained a long two to push the CUI advantage to 81-72.  

The Eagles defense sealed it in the final minutes. White came up with a key steal and Green provided the exclamation point with a right-handed slam to make it 89-76. The Vulcans never threatened the rest of the way and CUI was able to close it out down the stretch to improve to 7-3 overall.

10 of Green's 18 points came in the first half. His pressure on the perimeter helped force three of the nine steals the CUI defense was able to come away with against the Vulcans. Green also led Concordia with three blocks as well.

"We told our guys the same focus that got it done in preseason usually doesn't get it done at the conference level and we had some guys that really stepped up," said Ammann. "Andre was definitely one of those guys. He really competed at a high level tonight. Jalen and Robert really played well and really we had a lot of guys that really competed hard and did that."

"I think this was probably one of the best full games that we've played as a team," said McCoy. "I feel like we put together a full 40 minutes. It's great to start conference play with a win, especially since we've had a long break between games."

Ranked No. 4 in the D2 West regional rankings for the second straight time, CUI has this week off for finals and will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 19 at home against Fresno Pacific.

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