STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific men's basketball team secured a convincing 86-48 win over Pacific Union Thursday night to improve to 2-0 at the Alex G. Spanos Center. 

The Tigers improve to 3-2 on the season, while the Pioneers fall to 1-7.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

First Half

• The Tigers went on a 22-11 run through the first 10 minutes of play. 
• A Justin Moore three-pointer at the 2:21 mark gave Pacific its largest lead (29 pts.) of the half.
• Pacific Union came back within 25 points on a made free throw with just under 15 seconds remaining in the half.
• Pacific led at halftime, 45-20.
• As a team, Pacific dominated in the paint, outscoring the Pioneers, 24-8. 
• Pacific shot 53.1 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from the three-point line.
   

Second Half

• The Orange and Black continued to dominate in the second half, extending its lead to a season-best 41 points on made free throw by Jahbril Price-Noel at 4:47.
• Following the 15:25 mark, Pacific Union was unable to come within less than 30 points of the Tigers.
• Pacific outscored the Pioneers 18-4 in the paint, but allowed Pacific Union to sink seven three-pointers in the final 20 minutes of play.
  
   

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Austin Vereen was tabbed the City of Stockton Human Resources Hardworking Player of the Game after recording his best performance of the season. Vereen a guard from Washington, D.C. shot 4-for-4 from the field, including a 3-for-3 effort from beyond the arc for a total of 11 points. In addition, Vereen totaled two rebounds and two assists.
• Shaquillo Fritz came off the bench to lead all players with 10 rebounds. Fritz also knocked down a season-high six points.
• James Hampshire was strong in the key, pulling down eight rebounds, while recording five points and one block.
• Amari McCray (12), Jahlil Tripp (11), and Broc Finstuen (10) all had a double-digit scoring night.
• The Tigers' squad finished at 50 percent (30-60) in the field, 38.1 percent (8-21) from beyond the arc, and 62.1 percent (18-29) from the charity stripe.
  
   

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Pacific Union's 12 points in the paint tied the fewest by a Pacific opponent.
• The Pioneers' 19 rebounds is the fewest allowed to a Pacific opponent.
  
   

COACH STOUDAMIRE SAYS ...

"Our guys did a good job bouncing back today."

"I was able to throw guys out there and see what they can do as I try to figure out our rotation moving forward."

"After the South Dakota game, Amari is beginning to find his rhythm and I am really happy for that."

"I am glad Jahlil was able to find his rhythm in this game after picking up those early fouls against Hawai'i. We need him to play aggressive." 

"Broc has carved his niche on this team. You know what he is going to bring everyday and he wants to get better."

"For me I am still excited about the potential of this team. I feel the same way I did at the beginning of the year and I am excited about this home stand. We are just taking it one game at a time and I think some good things can happen."

"We have to do a better job at guarding the three moving forward."

 

WHAT'S NEXT
Pacific will have just two days off before returning to action on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers will host the UC Riverside Highlanders at 3:00 p.m. Video and live stats links can be found at pacifictigers.com.

 

FOLLOW US
For more information about the Pacific men's basketball team, be sure to follow them on twitter (@PacificMensBB) and on Instagram (pacificmensbb).