STOCKTON, Calif. -- After the score was tied, 32-32, at half, Sacramento State shot just 20% (6-20) in the second half on the way to a 68-54 loss at Pacific on Saturday evening at Spanos Center.
In a game where neither team led by more than seven points in the first half, the teams went into break tied at 32-32. The game remained one possession the first few minutes of the second half until Pacific went on a 20-6 run spanning seven minutes of clock to take a 54-40 lead with 10:30 remaining. The Hornets got no closer than nine points the remainder of the evening.
Pacific had a big size advantage on the Hornets, and controlled the glass to the tune of 49-32. Sacramento State was outscored, 36-22, in the second half as Pacific went 15-of-34 in the second half while limiting the Hornets to just six field goals after halftime.
Stockton has always been a difficult place for the Hornets. Sacramento State has lost 16 straight road games to Pacific, and has not won in Stockton since 1955. Overall, the Hornets have not defeated the Tigers since a 74-72 overtime win at the Nest in 2006.
Today marked the first of a season long seven-game road trip for the Hornets that stretches all the way to the middle of January. In fact, Sacramento State does not play at Hornet Pavilion again until Jan. 15.
The Hornets, who played without 6-foot-11 forward
Jeremiah Cherry (15.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg) for the third straight game, dropped to 4-5 overall. Pacific won its third straight while improving to 6-2 overall and 3-0 at home. The Hornets and Tigers were playing for the first time since 2016.
Three Hornets scored in double figures, led by
Mikey Williams' team highs in points (14), assists (6) and steals (3). Williams had six of Sacramento State's eight assists.
Jayden Teat (3-of-6 3FG) finished with 12 points and a +6 plus/minus, and
Jahni Summers had 10 points, six rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocks.
Mark Lavrenov had six points and a team-best nine rebounds in 31 minutes, and
Prophet Johnson recorded six points, three rebounds and three steals.
Shaqir O'Neal,
Brandon Gardner and
Jeremiah Nyarko each had two points.
Sacramento State returns to action when it takes on Baylor on Tuesday at 5 p.m. PT.
NOTABLES
• The Hornets have just three non-conference games remaining on the schedule before Big Sky Conference play begins Jan. 1 at Idaho State
• Sacramento State used the same starting five for the third straight game - Williams, Summers and Johnson at guard, O'Neal and Lavrenov at forward
• Pacific did not score its first point until the 17:31 mark of the first half
• O'Neal drew a charge at the 8:37 mark of the first half in which he took a knee to the chest
