STOCKTON, Calif. – With an 8-4 run in the final minute of play the Tigers came within five of UNLV, but fell short to the Runnin' Rebels by a score of 81-76 on Saturday night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.

The Tigers are now 5-7 in pre-West Coast Conference play with just one non-conference game left to play. UNLV improves to 9-2 on the season.

In case you missed it:
  • Pacific kept within three points for nearly the first 10 minutes of play, until UNLV took its largest lead of the half (5 pts.) following a made three-pointer at 12:40 by the Rebels' Jordan Johnson.
  • Lafayette Dorsey answered right back with a three of his own (18-15). Roberto Gallinat then brought the Tigers back within one point (18-17) after two made free throws at 11:43.
  • The Runnin' Rebels went on a 13-0 run from 11:18-7:51 to extent its lead to 31-17.
  • After matching point-for-point (14-14) over the last seven minutes, the Tigers wrapped up the first half at a 14-point deficit (45-31)
  • Gallinat scored 16 points to lead all players in the half. It was the ninth game this season in which he scored double-digits. 
  • Despite shooting nearly an identical percentage from long range, the Tigers only shot 36.4% from the floor, while UNLV shot 57.7 percent. 
  • In the second half Pacific held the edge in turnovers (10-5) and rebounding (18-17) to come back within eight points on five different occasions. The Tigers came within five (79-74) with 00:10 remaining in regulation and to finish the game.
  • Kendall Small was a huge credit to the Tigers comeback, scoring 18 second-half points. 
  • Namdi Okonkwo was the only other Tiger to score double-digits, totaling a season-high 11 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.
  • Gallinat finished with 20 a team-leading 20 points.
  • Jahlil Tripp contributed to nearly every offensive and defensive statistical category, tallying seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals on the night.

Things you should know:
  • Roberto Gallinat, a junior transfer from South Plains College, was named the City of Stockton Human Resources Player of the Game after going 8-for-18 from the floor, including a made three-pointer, and 3-for-4 from the free throw line for a total of 20 points.

Next Up:
The Pacific men's basketball team will face the Sun Devils of Arizona State in Tempe on Friday, December 22nd at 12:00 p.m. PT