STOCKTON — Roberto Gallinat’s off-balanced 3-point attempt at the buzzer to force overtime was off target and the Pacific men’s basketball team lost its West Coast Conference opener against visiting BYU on Thursday at Spanos Center.
Pacific trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half but couldn’t quite complete its spirited comeback in a 90-87 loss to the Cougars. BYU’s perimeter shooting, which included nine 3-pointers by halftime, was somewhat unexpected considering the Cougars were ranked 308th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage prior to the contest.
The Tigers, who won last year’s contest at Spanos Center 67-66 after BYU’s potential game-winning shot at the buzzer was waived off, struggled to match baskets from the outset.