Dec. 22, 2007

Box Score

Fresno, Calif. - The Pacific men's basketball team suffered a 75-58 loss to Fresno State on Saturday, Dec. 22.

The loss dropped Pacific to 8-4 on the season, while Fresno State moved to 7-5 overall.

Trailing 42-33 late in the first half, the Tigers scored 11 straight points to grab a 44-42 lead. Pacific's long rally started in the final seconds of the first half as junior Brian LeDuc (Corona, Calif.) drained two free throws to send Pacific to the locker room down, 42-35.

As the second half opened the Tigers held Fresno State scoreless for the first 4:27 to surge ahead. Junior Anthony Brown (Sacramento, Calif.) got the Tigers rolling as he converted a three-point play with a driving layup and a free throw with 19:20 remaining to pull Pacific with four at 42-38. Moments later, Brown continued the charge with back-to-back buckets from the post to tie the game at 42-42 with 18:05 left to play.

The game remained tied until Pacific sophomore Joe Ford (Altadena, Calif.) tossed in a short jump shot to give the Tigers a 44-42.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Fresno State answered Pacific's run with a charge of their own, scoring 17 of the next 21 points to reclaim the lead at 59-48 with 9:44 left in the contest.

The Tigers got back within six at 59-53, but could not get any closer as the Bulldogs took the game, 75-58.

Brown led the Tigers with 12 points and seven rebounds, while LeDuc finished with 11 points. This marked the third consecutive game that Brown led the Tigers in points and rebounds.

Kevin Bell led the way for Fresno State with a game-high 24 points.

The Tigers return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 2 as Pacific opens Big West Conference play by hosting UC Riverside at 7 p.m. in the Alex G. Spanos Center.