Nwaba, Eversley score 14, Cal Poly holds off UC Irvine 61-58 to advance to Big West finals

Cal Poly guard Kyle Odister, left, steals the ball away from UC Irvine guard Chris McNealy during in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game of the Big West Conference men's tournament in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, March 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) (The Associated Press)

UC Irvine forward Mike Best (33) reaches for a rebound against Cal Poly forward Brian Bennett, center, and Irvine forward Will Davis II (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game of the Big West Conference men's tournament in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, March 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) (The Associated Press)

David Nwaba and Chris Eversley each scored 14 points Friday night as Cal Poly beat top-seeded UC Irvine 61-58 and advance to Saturday's Big West Conference tournament finals.

Brian Bennett added 12 for the seventh-seeded Mustangs (12-19).

Cal Poly opened with three quick baskets, but UC Irvine (23-11) took a 12-11 lead on a trey by Alex Young, then pulled away on a 10-2 run. Cal Poly rallied with a 9-1 run, and Eversley's jumper gave them a 31-29 halftime lead.

Cal Poly led 41-31 in the second after a 10-2 run, but Will Davis pulled the Anteaters to within a point, 56-55, on a layup. Kyle Odister boosted Cal Poly's lead with a trey, then Nwaba added two free throws for a 61-55 edge. Young hit a trey, but the Anteaters missed three shots in the final 37 seconds.

Davis finished with 18 for UC Irvine and Young 11.