BERKELEY, Calif. – The Pacific men's basketball team wrapped up non-conference play Wednesday afternoon, falling to California, 73-53, at the Walter A. Haas Jr. Pavilion.
 
Jaden Byers had a career game for the Tigers (5-9) scoring a career-high 10 points to lead the team in scoring. Byers, who was the lone Tiger to score in double figures, shot 80 percent (four-for-five) from the field while also knocking down both of his free-throw attempts.

Sam Freeman, who earned this fifth start of the season, also contributed to the effort as he shot 57.1 percent (four-for-seven) from the floor and tallied a season-high six rebounds.
 
"I have to give these kids credit, head coach Leonard Perry stated after the game. "They're learning, they're trying, and it's been a hard adjustment … They stick in there and they compete during practice."
 
The Golden Bears (8-5) jumped out to a quick lead, scoring the first eight points of the game before Jeremiah Bailey connected on a three-point attempt to get the Tigers on the board.
Trailing 13-5 at the 13:49 mark of the first half, the Tigers used the next 10 minutes to outscore the Golden Bears, 21-12, to take the lead, 26-25, at the 2:13 mark.
 
Pacific went on a 14-2 run to close out the first half and held a 30-25 lead at the halftime break.
 
Stifling defense was the key factor in the first half, as the Tigers held the Golden Bears to 34.5 percent (10-for-29) from the field. The Tigers also forced the Golden Bears into seven turnovers during the first 20 minutes of action as Bailey, Pierre Crockrell II, and Alphonso Anderson each had one steal apiece.
 
The Golden Bears, led by Grant Anticevich's game-high 25 points, outscored the Tigers 48-23 in the second half to pull away.
 
Pacific returns to action Thursday, December 30, as the Tigers take on Santa Clara to begin West Coast Conference play at the Alex G. Spanos Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.