Dec. 23, 2008

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - In its final home contest of the 2008 calendar year, the Pacific men's basketball team dropped a 74-65 decision to the Saint Mary's Gaels.

The loss puts the Tigers at 6-4 on the season, while Saint Mary's jumped into double-digits with a 10-1 record.

A defensive struggle was the story of the first half, as neither team was able to take control. Just over 12 minutes into the half, the teams were tied for the fourth time at 15-15. After the Gaels pulled ahead 17-15, the Tigers got a basket from sophomore Sam Willard (Pierre, S.D.) to even the game back up at 17-17. Mickey McConnell then hit a three-pointer that was answered on the other end by Tiger senior Bryan LeDuc (Corona, Calif.). After the Gaels pulled ahead again by two, Willard scored five straight points to give the Tigers a 25-22 lead and a 25-23 halftime lead. With each team playing strong defense, Pacific shot just 31.0% from the field in the first half, while the Gaels' percentage was at 27.6%.

After the eighth tie of the game with 17:09 left, Saint Mary's used a 9-2 run featuring a pair of threes by Patrick Mills to take a 36-29 lead. Trailing 39-32, the Tigers battled back with a 17-10 run, including three-pointers from senior Michael Kirby (North Highlands, Calif.) and junior Casey Neimeyer (Woodland, Calif.), to even up the game for the ninth time at 46-46 with 9:58 left. Another 9-2 run gave the Gaels a 55-48 lead, and the Tigers would not get closer than seven the rest of the way.

Taking advantage of seven second half Tiger turnovers, Saint Mary's outscored Pacific 13-2 in points off of turnovers for the game. The Gaels won the rebounding battle 38-32, including 13 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second chance points.

LeDuc scored 13 points off the bench to lead the Tigers. Kirby scored a season-high eight points for Pacific.

After going 0-for-5 from the field in the first half, Mills scored 21 of his game-high 23 points in the second half to lead the Gaels. Pacific next returns to action on Dec. 30 at local rivals Sacramento State. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Sacramento, Calif.