Jan. 2, 2008

Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif. - Four Pacific men's basketball players scored in double figures as the Tigers (9-4, 1-0 Big West) opened conference play with an 82-54 victory over UC Riverside (3-9, 0-1) on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the Alex G. Spanos Center.

The Tigers used a 17-4 run to open up an early 10 point lead at 21-7 with 11:34 left in the first half, and never looked back. Keying the run were 10 points from junior Chad Troyer (Seattle, Wash.) who hit three of his career-high six three-pointers in the run. Pacific finished off the half on a 14-7 run to extend the lead to 45-23 at the break. The Tigers shot a season-best 71.4% in the first half. Pacific out-rebounded the Highlanders 14-6 in the first half, with neither team getting an offensive rebound.

In the second half it was more of the same for the Tigers, extending the lead to as many as 32 (74-42 with 5:27 left) to cruise to the victory. Pacific's lead did not fall below 23 in the second half.

Troyer led the Tigers with 21 points, while junior Steffan Johnson (Kent, Wash.) added 18 points. Johnson also added seven assists. Junior Michael Kirby (North Highlands, Calif.) added a career-high 13 points, while junior Michael Nunnally (Stockton, Calif.). Junior Anthony Brown (Sacramento, Calif.) led the Tigers with eight rebounds, the fourth straight game he has paced the team on the boards.

Pacific out-rebounded the Highlanders 37-18, and had 20 assists on 29 field goals.

Larry Cunningham led UC Riverside with 14 points.

The Tigers are next in action at Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m.