PROVO, Utah - The Pacific Tigers were nipped by the BYU Cougars 4-3 Saturday, dropping the Tigers to 8-9 on the year.  The match went down to the final point, with BYU prevailing 7-6 (12-10) in the third set of the final singles match to get the win.  BYU improves to 10-8.

The day started with Pacific winning the doubles point.  Akram El Sallaly and Tadiwa Chinamo won 7-6 (7-4) in their doubles match, followed by a 6-4 win by Ross Watson and Miguel Diaz that gave the Tigers the point.

Diaz also won in his singles match, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.  Diaz's comeback win tied the match at 3-3, putting the deciding point in the hands of Ross Watson.  Watson won his first set 7-5, then lost set two 6-4.  The nailbiter of a match continued for some time, with Watson finally falling 7-6 after a grueling 22-point tiebreaker in the third set.  It was just the fourth loss in singles play for Watson this year.

Diaz's win improved his season singles record to 9-5, with two wins in his last three matches.

Alex Giannini got the Tigers their other singles win, coming in the third pairing.  Giannini won 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.  Giannini is now 8-4 in singles matches this year.

The Tigers will stay on the road for two conference matches next weekend.  Next up will be a match with Pepperdine on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 pm, followed by a match with Loyola Marymount on Sunday, March 26 at 1:00 pm.

Make sure to follow Pacific men's tennis on Twitter with the username @PacificMTennis and on Instagram at pacificmtennis.