March 7, 2007

Final Stats

Anaheim, Calif. - The Pacific men's basketball team won a 71-54 decision over Cal State Northridge in a Big West Conference Tournament First Round match-up on Wednesday, Mar. 7 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Tigers are now 12-18 overall, while the Matadors finish the season 14-17.

After missing eight of their first nine shots from the field, the Tigers hit eight of the next nine to take a 23-13 lead with 8:16 left in the first half. Pacific used a 15-5 spurt to take that lead, including eight points from sophomore Steffan Johnson (Kent, Wash.). Pacific was able to extend the lead to 14 (38-24) at halftime, thanks to a 13-0 advantage on points off of turnovers.

In the second half, Pacific's lead fell below 10 just once, as the Matadors used a 9-2 run to cut the Tigers' 17 point lead to nine (50-41) with 11:27 remaining. The Tigers then used an 8-2 run to get the lead back to 15 got to as many as 20 late in the game.

Johnson and senior Reggie Vezia (Vacaville, Calif.) each scored 16 points to lead the Tigers. Senior Anthony Esparza (Bakersfield, Calif.) added 12 points for Pacific, hitting 7-of-8 free throws.

The Tigers shot just 37.5% from the field (6-16) in the second half, but hit 4-of-8 three pointers. Pacific shot 46.7% for the game (21-45). The Tigers had nine steals in the game, including a career-high three by sophomore Anthony Brown (Sacramento, Calif.).

Cal State Northridge was led by Thomas Shewmake, who scored 14 points.

The Tigers are next in action against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, Mar. 8 in the quarterfinals of the Big West Conference Tournament in Anaheim, Calif. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.