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Date Posted: 20:35:01 01/24/02 Thu
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Riverside Preview

Originally Published Thursday, January 24, 2002
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Guard convinced Tigers will solve their woes
By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

David Bunts is alive and well.

After taking the blame for Saturday's loss at Long Beach State, the senior guard didn't do anything rash.

He and his University of the Pacific teammates returned from Southern California in tact, vowing to find a cure for what ails them after suffering two disappointing losses on the road last week.

''We're fine,'' said Bunts, who scored 16 points and committed eight turn-overs in the Tigers' 78-74 loss at Long Beach State on Saturday. ''We know we gave two games away, and we don't want to give any more away.''

Pacific (11-6, 3-4 Big West) can't afford to be in a giving mood. Today's opponent, UC Riverside (6-9, 3-4), is tied with the Tigers and Cal Poly for fifth place in the Big West. The loser of today's game, which starts at 7 p.m. at Spanos Center, will be looking up from the bottom half of the conference standings.

The Tigers are in the middle of the pack after losing late leads at UC Irvine on Jan. 17 and at Long Beach State on Saturday.

''I think they're disappointed,'' Pacific coach Bob Thomason said. ''We had a chance to win two games against two tough teams on the road and we didn't. Our attitude is to get better and bring our effort every night.''

Had Pacific won both games, it would be tied for first place with the Anteaters and Cal State Northridge. Instead, the Tigers are searching for answers and hope to find some in time to take advantage of the remaining schedule, which has them home for seven of their last 11 regular-season games.

''I really believe the problems we're having, if we would have won those two games, we'd still have them,'' Thomason said. ''We're a little like when we win, we don't think we have any problems. If we don't solve them, we won't have a chance at winning the Big West Tournament. Maybe it's good we're finding those problems now, while we still have some time to correct them.''

The Tigers have played brilliantly for stretches, but in almost every game, they've experienced prolonged droughts on offense, and multiple series when they can't make a stop or grab a key rebound on defense.

Bunts acknowledged the Tigers' inconsistency.

''I've seen it in some aspects,'' Bunts said. ''We'll come out and have a great half and go in at halftime and tell each other to have a great second half. But sometimes you can't control that. Guys think they're playing hard, and (Thomason) might not see it that way.''

When a team wins, nobody asks questions. When it doesn't, the questions fly. Bunts wonders if the Tigers' experience with eight seniors has hindered their progress.

''Sometimes experience can be a flaw,'' Bunts said. ''Some of the guys might know the plays, but not up to the level Coach expects. Some guys relax, and think, 'OK, I know this, so I don't have to do that.' We just have to stay together and keep everybody confident.''

Bunts is gaining confidence in his shooting.

He made 6-of-8 attempts, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range against Long Beach State. He leads the team and is second among conference players in overall 3-point shooting percentage (.492), and first in conference games only at .550. He's second on the team in scoring in conference games at 10.3 points per game and sixth overall at 6.9.

''Every time I touch the ball, I can score,'' said Bunts, who transfered last season from College of Marin.

Bunts had only 11 turnovers entering Saturday's game with the 49ers, but he nearly doubled that mark in 26 minutes. After the game, he said he was responsible for the loss.

''I like guys taking responsibility, but was it the reason we lost that game? Not at all,'' Thomason said. ''I'm proud of someone like David, who's grown so much as a person that he'd take the blame.''

There's been plenty of that to go around. Now, the Tigers must play well enough to stop the blame game.

* To reach reporter Bob Highfill, phone 546-8299 or e-mail bhighfil@recordnet.com

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