Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific men's basketball team defeated Hawai'i 64-54 on Tuesday, Dec. 6. With the win, the Tigers improved to 4-3 (4-0 at home), while Hawai'i dropped to 2-4 on the season. The Tigers dropped a 75-70 decision in Honolulu just 12 days ago, but evened the season series with the victory. Next season's meetings between the two schools will be Big West Conference matchups.

Hawai'i took an early 7-4 lead just over four minutes into the game. Junior Travis Fulton responded with a deep three-pointer to tie the game and spark an 8-0 run that gave the Tigers a 12-7 lead. The Warriors put up a 5-2 run of their own to come back to within one point, but sophomore Khalil Kelley converted two consecutive offensive rebounds into points to give the Tigers an 18-13 lead with 8:37 remaining in the half. An 8-2 streak by Hawaii put the Tigers down by one (21-20), marking the fifth lead change of the half. Junior Lorenzo McCloud nailed a three-pointer from just behind the arc to start a 9-0 run that gave Pacific a 29-21 advantage with :58 seconds left in the half. Hawai'i scored on four free throws in the final minute to cut the Tiger lead to 29-25 at the half. 

Kelley scored the first basket of the second half, jump-starting a 7-2 run by the Tigers that gave Pacific a 36-27 lead with 16:28 on the clock. Over the following four minutes, the Tigers and the Warriors took turns sinking baskets before junior Andrew Bock scored five unanswered points to put Pacific up 48-40 with 11:22 remaining in the game. Hawaii fought back, posting a 6-0 run to bring the Warriors to within two (48-46), but the Tigers were ready. Pacific posted a 10-0 run, highlighted by five points from Kelley, to give the Orange and Black a 58-46 lead, their largest of the night. After a basket from Hawaii with 3:19 left on the clock made it 58-50, Pacific maintained possession of the basketball for over two minutes, as offensive rebounds by Fulton and sophomore Trevin Harris kept the possession going. The Tigers were perfect from the line in the final minute, going 6-for-6 to preserve the 64-54 win.

Kelley had his best night as a Tiger, posting his first career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Kelley was perfect from the field, making all seven shots he attempted in the game, and was the only player in double figures. Kelley is the sixth different Tiger to lead the team in scoring this season. Lorenzo McCloud was second on the team with nine points and seven assists, going 4-for-4 from the line. 

Hawaii was led by Joston Thomas, who posted 11 points and 9 rebounds.

The Warrior bench outscored Pacific's 28-18, but the Tigers held a 14-9 advantage in points off of turnovers. Hawaii was perfect from the free throw line, going 12-12 in the game, while Pacific was 9-11 (81.8%).

Pacific is next in action on Saturday, December 10 at San Francisco. Listen to the game live at www.pacifictigers.com.