Feb. 7, 2008

Box Score

Northridge, Calif. - Behind strong defense and a commitment to rebounding, the Pacific women's basketball team ran to a 66-52 win over Cal State Northridge on Thursday, Feb. 7. The win improved the Tigers record to 9-13 overall and 4-5 in conference action while the Matadors fell to 0-19 overall and 0-9 in the Big West.

From the outset of the game the Tigers were in control, hitting the first basket of the contest and never looking back en route to their ninth win of the season. Led by junior Janae Young (Sacramento, Calif.) in the first half, Pacific was able to push out to a double-digit lead within the first six minutes of the game, leading 18-7 with 14 minutes left.

Young scored nine of the Tigers' first 18 points of the ball game before getting into foul trouble midway through the half. Despite playing just 10 minutes in the first half, Young posted 12 points and eight boards to keep Pacific out ahead of the Matadors.

Behind nearly 50% shooting in the first half (14-of-30), the Tigers were able to build a lead by as much as 19 points in the half before the Matadors were able to get a small run going to end the half to cut the halftime lead to 13 points. Senior Kelsey Lavender (Lake Oswego, Ore.) held the Tigers together with Young on the bench, scoring 11 first half points in her absence on 4-of-8 shooting.

Up double-digits, the Tigers did not allow the Matadors to climb back in the contest in the second half, halting every rally Cal State Northridge tried to mount before it could get rolling. Junior Amy VanHollebeke (San Diego, Calif.) came on strong in the second half for the Tigers nine points in the final period. At the line, VanHollebeke hit 5-of-6 free throws while the Tigers as a team knocked down 18-of-20 (90%).

Junior Whitney Price and sophomore Jasmine Dana (Bakersfield, Calif.) continued to be the defensive stoppers for the Tigers as the duo helped Pacific force 25 Matador turnovers while picking up 12 steals in the game. Price also grabbed eight rebounds in the contest and came up with a key defensive stop for the Tigers down the stretch when she single-handedly stifled a Matador break late in the game as the Cal State Northridge was trying to cut the Tigers' lead down to single digits.

Overall, Lavender led the Tigers with 18 points on the night on 5-of-12. She added a perfect 6-of-6 showing at the line while dishing out one assist and grabbing one steal. Young finished the night with 16 points and eight rebounds, despite playing just 13 minutes in the game and sitting the final 10 minutes of the contest after fouling out. VanHollebeke added 11 points while dishing out a game-high five assists and three steals.

On the other end of the floor, the Matadors were led by Ashley Blake who scored 17 points while knocking down 4-of-8 three pointers. Whitney Ligon added 10 points in the loss.

Overall the Tigers outrebounded the Matadors 42-to-30 while grabbing 13 offensive rebounds.

Pacific win at the Matadome was its first since the 2002 season. The two wins over Cal State Northridge marked the first time the Tigers took the season series since the 2002 season.

The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 9 as they travel to Long Beach State to take on the 49ers at 5:00 pm.