MEN’S BASKETBALL CAN’T OVERCOME PACIFIC’S HOT START IN LOSS TO THE TIGERS

12/12/2009

STOCKTON, Calif. – Six different Pacific players scored at least eight points and Sacramento State shot just 30.2 percent (16-53) from the field as the Tigers defeated the Hornets, 79-49, in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday evening at the Alex G. Spanos Center.

Pacific, which entered the game shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from the three-point line, opened tonight's contest on fire. The Tigers shot 58.6 percent (17-29) from the floor and 6-of-10 from the three-point line in the first half to go into the break with a 47-24 lead.

That included a 20-2 run midway through the first half that allowed Pacific to take control of the game. After a Duro Bjegovic putback cut Pacific’s lead to 16-14 with 11:15 left in the opening half, the Tigers scored 20 of the game’s next 22 points. During that run, Pacific buried three three-pointers, including two in a span of 27 seconds from Demetrece Young, the second of which gave the Tigers a 36-16 lead with 4:47 remaining in the first half. Sacramento State would get no closer than within 18 points of Pacific’s lead the rest of the way.

With the loss, the Hornets, who were playing their eighth game away from home during the young season, dropped to 4-7 overall. Pacific improved to 7-2, including 5-0 when playing at the Spanos Center.

The Tigers extended their dominance over the Hornets in a series which dates back to Sacramento State’s first year of basketball (1948-49). Pacific is now 31-7 all-time against the Hornets and has won 16 of the last 17 meetings between the two teams. In addition, the Tigers have now won 16 straight meetings when the two squads play in Stockton.

If the 47-24 halftime lead wasn’t enough, Pacific put the game away by going on a 14-3 run to open the second half. The Tigers cooled off in the second half from the field, but the damage already been done. Pacific finished the game shooting 45.0 percent (27-60) from the floor, 42.9 percent (9-21) from the three-point line and 72.7 percent (16-22) from the free throw line. In addition, Pacific forced 21 Hornet turnovers and outscored Sacramento State in points off turnovers by a 20-2 margin.

Sacramento State, which outrebounded Pacific, 43-35, had trouble finding its range from the perimeter all night long. The Hornets shot just 30.2 percent (16-53) from the field and 4-of-15 from long range. Sacramento State scored 20 of its 49 points in the paint, including a combined 17 points and 13 rebounds from post players Michael Selling and Duro Bjegovic.

Young led all scorers with 12 points for Pacific as he buried four of his six three-point looks. Joining him in double figures were Sam Willard (10 points, six rebounds) and Michael Nunnally (10 points). Pacific also got nine points and three steals from Allen Huddleston, nine points and two steals from Pat Eveland, and eight points and three blocked shots from Nyika Williams.

For the second straight game, the Hornets did not have a player score in double figures. Bjegovic’s team-high nine points came on 3-of-7 shooting from the field and he also added five rebounds. Selling had eight points and eight rebounds, and freshman John Dickson finished with seven points and five rebounds. Senior center Justin Eller added four points and six rebounds, and senior Jonathan Malloy chipped in six points.

Including its loss to USC earlier this week, Sacramento State has combined to convert on just 30 of its last 114 field goal attempts and has scored its two lowest outputs of the season (36 points at USC, 49 points tonight). All 12 Hornets who dressed for tonight’s game appeared in the contest.

Sacramento State will get the next six days off for Finals Week before jumping back into Big Sky Conference play next Saturday, Dec. 19, when the team hosts Idaho State at 7:05 p.m. The Hornets dropped their first conference game of the season to defending Big Sky regular season champions Weber State on Dec. 5. The six-day stretch without a game will be the longest of the season for the Hornets.