Feb. 2, 2008

Box Score

Davis, Calif. - Despite a surge in the final minutes of the game, the Pacific women's basketball team was unable to rally for the win at UC Davis on Saturday, February 2, falling to the Aggies 58-54. Pacific fell to 8-13 on the season and 3-5 in conference play while the Aggies improved to 11-9 overall and 5-3 in the Big West.

The game opened with neither team taking control of the contest as the Aggies started 0-for-12 from the floor before breaking into the field goal column with a three-pointer from the game's high scorer, Heather Bates. Despite the Aggies' shooting woes, Pacific was unable to capitalize through the with nine minutes of the contest as the Tigers hit just five baskets during the stretch with their biggest lead holding at five points (9-4) with 11 minutes to play in the half.

With both teams struggling, the Aggies were able to come out of the darkness first, running out to a lead of as much as 12 points in the opening 20 minutes of play. The Tigers were never able to get their offense clicking against the Aggies' trapping zone in the first half of play, but still only trailed by seven points at the half time break thanks in part to a strong showing from junior Janae Young (Sacramento, Calif.) eight points and eight rebounds in the half.

Out of the break, the Aggies' shooting woes resurfaced as they missed their first five shots of the half, scoring only from the free-throw line. UC Davis hit 18-of-22 shots from the line throughout the game, they were 9-of-10 in the first half.

Once again, with the Aggies struggling, Pacific was unable to capitalize as an array of turnovers in the first minutes of the half undid any scoring chances for the Tigers early. While the Aggies' struggled from the floor, the Tigers committed three turnovers in their first four possessions, allowing UC Davis to settle into the half and find their offensive rhythm again.

With their rhythm back, UC Davis mounted a push against the Tigers in an attempt to knock the Tigers out after being unable to do so in the first half. With the Tigers reeling, the Aggies surged ahead by 15 points, leading the Tigers 55-40 with 7:18 to play in the game.

Down in a big hole, the Tigers turned up the defensive pressure on the Aggies by turning their press against themselves, denying the inbounds pass and trapping the ball handler. As the pressure increased, so too did the mistakes by the Aggies as Pacific was able to turn four Aggie turnovers (Pacific had none in the final seven minutes of play) and a handful of bad Aggie shots into 14-1 run that had the Tigers back within two points with 1:28 to play. Pacific's defense picked up with the lead of juniors Young and Whitney Price (Las Vegas, Nev.) and sophomore Jasmine Dana (Bakersfield, Calif.). The trio spurred on the Tigers team defense with increased intensity and hustle down the stretch.

Right back in the game the Tigers had a chance to tie the game or even go for the win with :18 seconds to play in the contest as Pacific had possession of the ball without a shot clock to worry about. However, Pacific's comeback was not to be as the Tigers' saw freshman Beckett Brennan's (Littleton, Colo.) game-winning three-pointer blocked in the left corner by Paige Mintun. The Aggies recovered the ball and used a pair of free throws from Bates to ice the game and send Pacific to its second straight conference defeat.

Young led the way for the Tigers with her third career double-double. In addition, the junior wing added five steals, one assist and one block while committing just one turnover. No other Tiger hit the double-digit mark in points as the Tigers shot just 34.5% (20-of-58) from the floor on the night.

The Aggies were able to come away with the conference win despite being held to their worst shooting night of the season, 25.8% (16-of-62) from the floor. UC Davis did hit eight three pointers while attempting 30. Bates added eight rebounds and four steals to her 21 points while Jessica Campbell and Mintun grabbed 10 and 12 rebounds, respectively.

Pacific will be back in action on Thursday, February 7 as they travel to Cal State Northridge to take on the Matadors at the Matadome at 7:00 pm.