Eversley scores 24 points to lead Cal Poly over UC Irvine 72-67

UC Irvine's Michael Wilder (23) guards Cal Poly's Chris Jamal Johnson (24) during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Mott Gym in San Luis Obispo, Calif. (AP Photo/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo),Laura Dickinson) (The Associated Press)

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Cal Poly State's Chris Eversley (33) shoots against UC Irvine's Alex Young (1), Conor Clifford (50) and Chris NcNealy's (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Mott Gym in San Luis Obispo, Calif. (AP Photo/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo),Laura Dickinson) (The Associated Press)

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Chris Eversley scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Cal Poly to a 72-67 win over UC Irvine on Saturday night.

Chris O'Brien added a career-high 16 points for the Mustangs (7-6, 3-0 Big West).

Cal Poly led 36-25 at halftime, but UC Irvine opened the second half with a 20-4 run to lead 45-50. O'Brien hit a layup at 1:14, followed by a free throw, to put the Mustangs up 68-65 and take the lead for good.

Adam Folker led UC Irvine with 16 points. Alex Young had 14 points and four rebounds, and Chris McNealy added 11 points. Michael Wilder and Will Davis II also had four rebounds.

UC Irvine (7-9, 1-2) shot 54.2 percent from the field for the game, besting Cal Poly's 48.9 percent.

Cal Poly is 3-0 in Big West Conference play for the second time in 17 years.