Pacific Pounds Texas A&M-CC to Advance to CIT Quarterfinals
By Josh Horton
Jan 4, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Pacific Tigers forward Khalil Kelley (13) react after being called for a foul during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The Pacific Tigers blew out Texas A&M Corpus Christi by a score of 89-60 to advance to the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider.com tournament.
A 27-7 run to end the first half assembled an 18 point lead for the Tigers at the half. Pacific outscored the Islanders by a score 43-32 to lead the Tigers to a blowout victory.
Sama Taku led the Tigers tonight with 15 points and six rebounds. Tony Gill also had a solid night for the Tigers tonight with 14 points, a team-high seven assists and six boards. Ross Rivera and David Taylor also finished in double figures for the Tigers with 13 points and 10 points respectively.
Joy Willaimson came off the bench and led the Islanders in scoring with 17 points. Zane Knowles was their leading rebounder with five boards. John Jordan led all players with eight assists.
The Tigers shot an astounding 58.3 percent from the field, with Texas A&M Corpus Christi shooting 50 percent. Pacific dominated the glass, with a +17 rebounding margin in its victory. Each team finished with only 9 turnovers a piece.
As our staff writer James Pigott pointed out in his San Diego versus Sam Houston State recap, Pacific will likely meet San Diego in the quarterfinals due to the fact that opponents in the CIT are determined by location.
West Coast Convo will keep you posted on these developments.
UPDATE (10:36 Mar. 23):
Pacific and San Diego as expected will play in the quarterfinals of the CIT. The game will be this upcoming Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST. The game will be held in the Spanos Center, so Pacific is the host team.