STOCKTON, Calif. – A game-high 24 points from
Liz Smith, including a perfect six-of-six from three points range, enabled the Pacific women's basketball team (4-2) to cruise over Wyoming (2-3), 67-53, in the opening game of the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off.
"It benefited us to be able to play everyone a little bit on Tuesday," said Head Coach
Bradley Davis. "Players stepped up today. I am proud of that—players who have not started moving into a starting role and got more minutes. Everyone did an excellent job. We are confident in our depth. We know we can do that. It is a good problem to have.
Smith led all scorers with 24 points and was a perfect 6-6 from three. Redshirt junior
Rosie Schweizer scored a season-high 11, and sophomore
Elizabeth Elliott put 10 on the board. Senior
Sam Ashby led the team with eight assists, and junior
Madelene Ennis grabbed six rebounds. Junior
Kadie Deaton, who made her first start of the season, hit the only Tiger free throw as part of her five-point, four rebound effort.
The Tigers started the game with one of the most dominant quarters of the season, scoring 21 points while holding the Cowgirls to just four points. Pacific shot 56.3% from the field and 75% from three to jump out to an early lead thanks in part to four offensive rebounds and forcing five Wyoming turnovers.
Wyoming responded in the second quarter, scoring 12 and holding Pacific to just 13. The Tigers shot 42.9% from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds in the quarter.
Wyoming outscored the Tigers by four in the second half, but it was not enough to make up for the first-quarter deficit. The third quarter was the game's highest-scoring, with 41 points between the two squads. The Tigers continued to play solid defense and force contested shots from the Cowgirls while playing smart offense, turning the ball over only six times in the second half and shooting just under 50% in the half.
Wyoming will face off against UC Davis at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, in the tournament's second game. Live stats and the live stream information can be found on each team's website.
The Tigers are back on the court Sunday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. to take on UC Davis and close out the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off.
