Jan. 9, 2006

Box Score

Fullerton, Calif. - The Tigers fell 72-64 to Cal State Fullerton on Monday, January 9, despite a second half rally that erased a 16-point halftime deficit. With the Big West loss Pacific falls to 1-2 in the conference and 4-10 on the season.

The two teams traded buckets throughout the first half with the Tigers getting their last lead of the game as senior Carolina Ruiz scored a lay-up enroute to her game-high 26 points. Her basket gave Pacific a three-point lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half but from that point the Titans rode a 30-11 run to end the half.

Down 16 at the half, the Tigers started the second half with a furious rally. Behind 11 second half points from senior Tina Sanerivi and eight from sophomore Kelsey Lavender, the Tigers chipped away at the Fullerton lead, tying the game with just over two minutes remaining. Lavender's lay-up tied the game at 61, however, the Titans scored four more times in the final minutes to escape with a 72-64 win.

Ruiz's double-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds led all players. Pacific held the edge in shooting percentage at 47% for the game compared to Fullerton's 37% but the Titans forced the Tigers into 26 turnovers while committing only 15.

The Tigers will be back in action against Long Beach State, Friday, January 13.