Pacific downed by Cal State Northridge, 63-57
Feb. 24, 2005
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Pacific Tigers women's basketball team dropped to 5-19 on the season as the Tigers were defeated by Cal State Northridge, 63-57 on Feb. 24. The loss moved Pacific to 2-14 in the Big West Conference, while the Matadors improved to 16-8 overall and 11-5 in conference. The Tigers got out to an early four point lead as Pacific held a 9-5 advantage with 16:19 left in the first half. Four Tigers scored in the first four minutes, led by a three-pointer from freshman Kelsey Lavender (Lake Oswego, Ore.). Moments later with Pacific leading 13-9, the Matadors came charging back with a 13-4 run to take a 22-17 lead with 4:24 remaining in the half. Down 26-21 with 2:14 left, the Tigers scored five straight points on a trey from sophomore Jessie Menkens (Battle Ground, Wash.) and a 15-foot jumper from Lavender. The two teams traded three pointers before the half and went into the break tied at 29-29. The second half saw the Tigers grab a brief 35-34 lead on a three-pointer from junior Dana Zimmerman (Redding, Calif.) at the 17:06 mark, but Cal State Northridge scored 13 of the next 15 points to take a 47-37 lead with 10:40 left in the game. Pacific got back within two points as the Tigers went on an 11-3 run, led by four points from junior Carolina Ruiz (Paradise, Calif.), to make it a 50-48 game with 5:33 remaining. That, however, was as close as Pacific would get as the Matadors scored the next eight points to regain their double-digit lead at 58-48. The Tigers closed to within four down the stretch at 61-57 but Pacific ran out of time. Lavender led Pacific with 13 points in the game, while Lajoyce King had 13 points to lead Cal State Northridge. The difference in the game was rebounds as the Matadors outrebounded Pacific 40-27, including 17 offensive boards.
The Tigers' loss, coupled with a win Thursday night by UC Irvine, officially eliminated Pacific from the Big West Conference Tournament. It is the first time since 1985 that the Tigers will not be competing in the Big West's post-season tournament. Pacific will play its final road contest of the season on Monday, Feb. 28 as the Tigers travel to Davis, Calif. to take on UC Davis at 7 p.m. |
 
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