Box Score SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Playing their best basketball of the year, the Pacific women's basketball team (10-10, 8-9) extended their winning streak to four in a row by squeezing past San Diego (12-7, 9-5), 67-65, on Monday afternoon.
 
Playing in their final true road game of 2020-21, the Tigers hung on late to take down the Toreros and secure the regular season sweep over USD for the third time in four years.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Aiming for revenge after their earlier loss this season in Stockton, San Diego would open the scoring just 31 seconds into play. However, the Tigers quickly responded, keeping pace with USD through the opening minutes, including a layup from redshirt senior Valerie Higgins at 4:15 to hold the deficit to just two, 10-8.
• Following a quick run and two free throws from junior Kaylin Randhawa with 1:22 in the first quarter, Pacific locked down defensively for the remainder of the period. At the end of one, the Tigers led by just one point, 14-13.
• With neither team able to find much separation in the second, UOP pushed their lead to as many as seven following a layup from freshman Erica Adams at 1:34. Battling back, San Diego closed the gap as the half expired. Heading into the locker rooms, Pacific held just a one-point advantage yet again, 33-32.
• Looking for some momentum out of intermission, the Tigers saw their lead grow back to seven, 41-34, on made free throws from Adams at 6:08 in the third.
• Seeming to almost match each other step-for-step in the following minutes, UOP remained out in front of USD at the end of three quarters, 48-42. Overall, Pacific outscored San Diego 15-10 in the third.
• Finding their identity as a team, the Tigers would battle with the Toreros in the final ten minutes of play, with San Diego coming within one point of tying the contest at 9:22, 48-47.
• Closing out the game with focus, Pacific was guided by the likes of Higgins and fellow seniors Brooklyn McDavid and Lianna Tillman down the stretch. Delivering necessary stops when it mattered most, the Tigers would hang on to squeeze out a 67-65 win in San Diego to notch their fourth consecutive victory, sweeping their three-game, five-day road trip.

 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Higgins was named the Hardworking Player of the Game yet again after finishing with a season-high 27 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor. Additionally, the 6'1" guard also recorded her ninth double-double in conference action and tenth overall of the season as she tallied 12 rebounds and 4 steals in the victory. From the stripe, Higgins' success also factored to be the difference maker as she converted 11-of-12 on Monday.
• Alongside Higgins, McDavid impressed as well, notching 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting. On the glass, the Studio City native also grabbed 7 rebounds.
• Playing her role, Randhawa added 8 points, 3 steals and 1 rebound in 26 minutes of action off the bench, including making two of three shots from behind-the-arc.
• In addition to notching their fourth consecutive win, the Tigers are now also back at the .500 mark as a team

 
UP NEXT:
Pacific will return home to the Alex G. Spanos Center for their final regular season game of 2020-21 when they welcome Saint Mary's this Saturday, Feb. 23. Tip-off between the Tigers and the Gaels is set for 2:00 pm PST as live stream, live stats and radio links will be available via pacifictigers.com.
 
FOLLOW US:
For more updates and more information on the 2020-21 Pacific women's basketball team, be sure to follow @Pacific_Hoops on Twitter, @pacificwbb on Instagram and @PacificWomensBasketball on Facebook.