STOCKTON, Calif. -- The Pacific men's basketball team fell to North Dakota State, 73-61, Friday evening at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
The Tigers (5-7), facing off against the Bison (8-4) for the first time in program history, were led by Nick Blake's team-high 14 points. Blake, who has scored in double figures in three-straight games, shot 45.5 percent (five-for-11) from the field and knocked down four free throws.
 
Alphonso Anderson, who also scored in double figures, tallied 11 points while connecting on five of his seven free throws. Luke Avdalovic contributed nine points as he tallied one three-point basket and was a perfect four-for-four from the free-throw line.
 
Pacific jumped out to an early 4-0 lead to begin the game, connecting on its first two shot attempts. North Dakota State, however, answered quickly and took the lead, 5-4, at the 17:09 mark of the first half. The Tigers were able to keep the game close throughout the beginning stages of the first half as there were seven lead changes in the first 12 minutes of the game.
 
The Bison led by as much as 18 during the second half, but the Tigers used scoring runs to cut into the deficit. Trailing 45-31, the Tigers used a 10-2 run starting at the 13:21 mark of the second half to cut the lead to 49-43. The Bison would use the remaining 10 minutes to pull away.
 
"We weren't in the right state of mind," head coach Leonard Perry stated after the game. "We didn't play well at times during the game, and we need to be engaged before we can do any kind of execution."
 
Pacific returns to action Sunday, December 19, as it completes its three-game homestand at Alex G. Spanos Center against UC Davis. Tip-off is scheduled for noon.