Pacific secured a hard-fought 56-54 win over Seattle U at the Alex G. Spanos Center, with TJ Wainwright leading the charge. The junior scored 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, while Isaac Jack added 14 points and 8 rebounds to help Pacific improve to 14-8 on the season. The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on offense.
At halftime, Pacific held a 33-18 lead, thanks in large part to their stifling defense. Seattle U, however, refused to back down, and a strong second-half performance from Brayden Maldonado helped the Redhawks close the gap. Maldonado scored 20 points, including several key baskets late, to keep Seattle U within striking distance. Junseok Yeo chipped in with 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Will Heimbrodt added 9 points and 5 rebounds for the Redhawks.
Despite being predicted to win by 4.2 points by CHD Scout, Pacific found themselves in a tight game throughout the second half. The predicted score of 73-69 was far from the actual outcome, as both teams combined for just 110 points. However, Pacific's narrow victory validated the prediction, as they emerged with a 2-point win.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The game was marked by a series of runs, with Pacific's early 15-2 spurt setting the tone for the first half. Seattle U, however, responded with a 10-2 run of their own in the second half, cutting the deficit to just 5 points with under 10 minutes to play. The Redhawks continued to push, eventually trimming the lead to just 2 points with seconds remaining. However, Pacific held on, thanks to some clutch free-throw shooting and stout defense.
This win marks a Quadrant 3 victory for Pacific, which could have real consequences for their tournament resume. With a current net ranking of 110, the Tigers are still on the bubble, but this win helps to bolster their case. For Seattle U, the loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, which may not be as damaging to their tournament hopes. The Redhawks, with a current net ranking of 121, want to bounce back from this narrow loss and continue to build their resume.
The victory is a reflection of Pacific's resilience and ability to close out tight games. With Wainwright and Jack leading the way, the Tigers have a strong core that can compete with anyone in the country. As the season wears on, Pacific want to build on this win and make a push for the tournament. For now, they can celebrate a hard-fought victory over a tough opponent, and the resume implications that come with it.