Box Score
STOCKTON, Calif. -- USF saw its five-game winning streak come to an end Saturday night in Stockton as the Dons suffered a 67-59 loss at the hands of the Pacific Tigers before a crowd of 1,724 at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Cole Dickerson and reserve
Mark Tollefsen were the only two USF players to score in double figures, finishing with 14 points a piece. De'End Parker was held to seven points on 2-of-10 shooting as from the floor while Tim Derksen also added seven.
The Dons shot 42.3 percent from the field and made just 6-of-15 free throws in a losing effort.
Ross Rivera paced the Tigers with 17 points whle Travis Fulton (12) and Khalil Kelley (10) also scored in double figures. UOP shot 52.0 percent from the field and outrebounded the Dons, 36-25.
The game couldn't have started any better for USF, as the Dons scored the first 10 points of the game and led 12-2 four minutes into the game. The Tigers weathered USF's fast start and managed to cut the lead to two at the half, 29-27.
Three pointers by Tollefsen and
Chris Adams gave USF a 37-29 lead early in the second half. However, the Tigers then went on a 11-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 40-39 at the 12:21 mark.
Pacific would never trail again.
With the score tied at 49 all with 6:48 remaining, Pacific went on a 8-1 spurt to take a 57-50 lead with 5:11 remaining.
USF drew within two points at 61-59 after a Dickerson put back, but Fulton answered on the other end, as his jumper from the left side just beat the shot clock to give the Tigers a 63-59 lead.
USF turned the ball over on the next possession which led to a layup by Ross Rivera that boosted UOP's lead to six with 0:27 left.
Two free throws by Fulton finished off the scoring, as the Tigers handed the Dons their first loss in six games.
"We didn't do a good job in anything we talked about during practice this week," said USF head coach
Rex Walters. "There's a road toughness team's have to develop and we are still a young team. They are an experienced team. This is one you just have to learn from and try to get better."
USF will return to action next Saturday when the Dons meet Nevada at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno. Tip off is slated for 3:00 p.m.
