March 8, 2006

Anaheim, Calif. - The Pacific Tigers women's basketball team closed out the 2005-06 season with a 94-67 loss to Cal Poly on Wednesday, Mar. 8.

Pacific finished the season with a 6-22 record, while Cal Poly moved to 13-13 on the year. The Mustangs now advance to the second round of the Big West Tournament to face the No. 4 seeded UC Riverside Highlanders on Thursday, Mar. 9.

The Tigers got off to a hot start in the first half, amassing as large as a 10 point led over the Mustangs. Sophomore Kelsey Lavender (Lake Oswego, Calif.) lead the early Pacific charge by hitting her first three three-point attempts. The early game momentum on the side of the Tigers changed when midway through the half, Lavender picked up her third personal foul on an attempted rebound.

The Tigers trailed 48-35 at the break despite shooting 53.8% from the field and knocking down 7-14 from beyond the three-point arc.

Cal Poly responded in the second half by shooting a scorching 7-10 from three-point range and holding the Tigers to just 34.3% shooting.

Senior Carolina Ruiz (Paradise, Calif.) scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in her final collegiate game. The double-double was the sixth of the season for the First Team All-Big West performer, and the ninth in her two year career.

Ruiz was one of four Tigers in double figures, as Lavender finished with 15 points, junior Wyvonne Jones (Wichita, Kan.) scored 14 and freshman Renee Roberts (Lodi, Calif.) added 12 points. Jones also dished out a team high seven assists, and grabbed seven rebounds in 33 minutes.

Pacific shot 42.6 % from the field, but were hampered by 29 turnovers, which led to 32 Cal Poly points.

Cal Poly was led by Jessica Eggleston, who recorded 15 points and six rebounds in the victory. The Mustangs shot 48.6% from the field on the game, including 11-21 (52.4%) on three-point baskets.