Pacific Advances in the CIT with Win over Grand Canyon

Feb 27, 2014; Stockton, CA, USA; Pacific Tigers guard

(3) passes the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half at Alex G. Spanos Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Pacific was able to squeak out a road victory at Grand Canyon University tonight, as the Tigers defeated the Antelopes by a score of 69-67.

With 14:57 to play, it appeared as if the Antelopes were about ready to run away with the game with a 47-34 lead. Pacific then proceeded to go on a 17-3 run over the next 6 minutes or so to take its first lead of the second half. The two teams went back-and-forth for the rest of the half until they were tied with 1:30 to go. With 1:01 to play, Tony Gill made a layup to put the Tigers up one. The Antelopes had a chance to win or tie the game as time expired, but Jerome Garrison could not get his layup to falls and Tigers prevailed.

Pacific got solid performances from a trio of seniors – Andrew Bock, Tony Gill and Sama Taku. Bock led the team in scoring tonight. Taku finished the game with 15 points and led Pacific with four assists. Gill, like Taku, had 15 points and led the team on the glass with seven rebounds.

Killian Larson and Daniel Alexander both contributed 20 point performances for the Antelopes. Jerome Garrison was their other double-digit scorer with 13 points.

Larson finished off his double-double with 11 rebounds, along with leading the team in rebounding. Akachi Okugo’s seven assists led the team as well.

The Pacific Tigers will move onto the round of 16 in the CIT tournament with the win. The CIT reseeds after each round to cut down of travel times and costs. Their next game is TBD, along with their opponent.