Dec. 30, 2005
Box Score
Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific Tigers women's basketball team defeated Sonoma State, 80-68, on Friday, December 30. With the win the Tigers improved to 3-8 on the season, while Sonoma State fell to 5-4.
Behind an unrelenting front court attack that saw the Tigers score 36 points in the paint, Pacific was able to power past the Seawolves for a 12 point victory on Friday night.
The first half witnessed a see-saw battle between the two teams as Pacific and Sonoma State attempted to feel each other out and establish a flow to the game. For the first 16 minutes of the game, the lead changed hands four times with neither team having the ability to break the game open. However, with the score tied 30-30 after the final media timeout, the Tigers used an 11-3 run to close out the half and take an eight point advantage into the break. Pacific's run was sparked by senior Carolina Ruiz (Paradise, Calif.) who scored seven of the Tigers' 11 points in the final four minutes of the half. Ruiz produced a career night as she netted 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 17 of those points came in the first half.
Up eight at the half and having established an inside game, the Tigers continued to build their lead in the second half, pushing the deficit to 18 points within the first six minutes. Despite the lead, the Tigers' foul trouble began to mount throughout the half with two of their top scorers for the game fouling out. Ruiz picked up her fifth personal foul with over seven minutes to play while sophomore Tyler Moran (Carmel, Calif.), who had spent the majority of the night running the Tigers' offense, exited the contest with four minutes still to play after scoring 10 points off the bench.
After the Seawolves were able to cut the Tigers' lead to just four points with 2:10 to play in the game, the Tigers gathered themselves and iced the game with six free throws down the stretch.
On the night the Tigers had five players in double figures led by Ruiz's 21 points. Senior Tina Sanerivi (Waipuha, Hawaii) was able to exploit the paint as well, posting 14 points while pulling down seven rebounds. Freshman Renee Roberts (Lodi, Calif.) and junior Wyvonne Jones (Wichita, Kan.) each tallied 12 points. The top was rounded out by Moran's 10 points. Additionally, Moran posted a career-high five assists on the night. As a team the Tigers posted season-highs in points (80), field goal % (53.9) and 3pt field goal % (46.2).
The Seawolves were led by three scorers in double figures as the Tigers were unable to stop Jessica Jennings as she finished with a game-high 23 points. Luaren Redfield added 16 points off the bench for Sonoma State while Heidi Mertle put in 11 points to round out the top for the Seawolves.
The Tigers have won two of the last three games to close out non-conference play, excluding UC Davis who will become a member of the Big West in 2006-07.
Pacific will begin conference action on Wednesday, January 4, as they play host to the Matadors of Cal State Northridge. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
