Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Tony Gill scored 19 points and led Pacific to a
64-55 win over UC Irvine in the Big West Conference Tournament final.
Pacific (22-12), the second seed in the tourney, defeated UC Santa Barbara and
Cal Poly to reach the title game. The Tigers won their first Big West title
since 2006 and fifth overall, tied with Long Beach State for most in the
conference. They will make their ninth NCAA Tournament appearance, their fifth
under coach Bob Thomason, who will retire after 25 years at the end of the
season.
Lorenzo McCloud registered 16 points and seven rebounds in the victory.
Daman Starring had a team-high 19 points and Chris McNealy added 12 for the
Anteaters (20-15), who were looking for their first conference championship.
The Anteaters, who earned the fourth seed in the tourney, defeated Hawaii and
top-seeded Long Beach State to make it to the final.
At halftime, Pacific led 31-20. They extended its lead by as much as 13
points, 38-25, with 16:50 remaining in regulation.
UC Irvine, though, came back and went on a 16-6 run over the next six
minutes to cut the deficit to 44-41. Starring scored eight points during the
swing.
The Anteaters were unable to get any closer, however, and were outscored 20-14
for the remainder of the contest.
Pacific did not make a single field goal in the final 5:22 of the game, but
was able to maintain its lead, as the team made 11-of-14 from the foul line
during the span.
Game Notes
Gill and McCloud both shot 6-of-12 from the field ... Pacific missed all four
of its 3-point attempts in the second half ... Pacific's bench outscored UC
Irvine's bench 31-2 ... UC Irvine lost its fourth Big West title game.
The Sports Network