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Date Posted: 09:23:58 02/10/02 Sun
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Tigers turn the ball over, lose
In reply to: Jon Ralston 's message, "Eli Kiedrowski" on 08:59:07 02/09/02 Sat

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Originally Published Sunday, February 10, 2002
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Pacific plays giveaway again

Twenty turnovers costly at Cal Poly

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- This time it was turnovers.

Something always has seemed to go wrong for the University of the Pacific on the road in Big West play this season. Against Cal Poly on Saturday, the Tigers committed 20 turnovers, including two in the final 29 seconds, and lost 84-79 in front of a near capacity crowd of 3,002 at Mott Gym.

Pacific (14-8, 6-6 Big West) has lost six consecutive games away from home, and Cal Poly (14-7, 8-5) successfully defended its home turf for the ninth time in 10 tries. The Tigers are alone in sixth place and have Long Beach State (8-16, 4-9) and UC Irvine (17-7, 10-3) coming to Spanos Center on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

"This team on the road ...," Pacific coach Bob Thomason said. "We turned the ball over the entire game."

Despite the turnovers, the Tigers came back from a 13-point, second-half deficit and forced an enthusiastic, vocal gathering to hold its collective breath during the final stages.

After Mike Titchenal gave the Mustangs an 80-74 lead with two free throws with 39.8 seconds remaining, Tigers guard Demetrius Jackson was fouled attempting a 3-point shot. He made all three free throws. Pacific set up a full-court press, and Cal Poly's Steve Geary became tangled with David Bunts in the backcourt and was called for travelling.

The Tigers needed a 3-point shot to tie the game, but Jackson's pass from the right side of the key toward the corner was intercepted by Cal Poly's Eric Jackson with 25 seconds left. Geary wound up the ball and was fouled with 22.5 seconds remaining. He sank 1-of-2 free throws and it was 81-77. Pacific worked the ball to Jono Metzger-Jones, but he missed an open 3-point shot. Maurice McLemore grabbed the rebound and scored to make it 81-79 with 10.6 seconds left.

Cal Poly's Jason Allen took the inbounds pass and was fouled with 8.3 seconds on the clock. But he made only 1-of-2 from the line. The Tigers an opportunity to tie it with a 3-pointer. McLemore drove down the floor, left his feet, and threw an errant pass behind Eli Kiedrowski at the top of the key. Geary grabbed the loose ball and was fouled with .5 seconds left. He made both free throws to end the game.

"I looked in the corner and there was no one there," said McLemore, describing what led to his fourth and most costly turnover. "I shouldn't have left my feet. That was a rookie mistake."

Thomason had a play called, "but what can I say? You always would rather take the shot than leave your feet and try to pass."

Pacific trailed by as many as seven (15-8) early in the first half, but a 13-4 run late put it ahead 44-37 with 1:51 left. The Tigers could have added to the lead, but a turnover by Jackson and a travelling violation by Nathan Davis led to a buzzer-beating jumper by Geary, and it was 44-41 at intermission.

"We played well in the first half, except for the last two minutes," Thomason said. "Then, we came out (in the second half) and we just couldn't get anything going."

The Mustangs scored the first seven points of the second half, and the Tigers were in catch-up mode the remainder of the game.

"We were definitely ready in the second half," said Cal Poly forward Brandon Beeson, who scored 19 points and had five rebounds before fouling out with 2:29 left in the game. "They were shooting a high percentage (58.3) in the first half, and we knew we had to step up on defense and get some baskets."

Varnie Dennis, who scored four points when the Tigers beat Cal Poly 70-54 in Stockton on Jan. 10, finished with 18 points on Saturday. McLemore led Pacific with 19 points, and Jackson and Mike Hahn each had 13. The Tigers shot 31.4 percent in the second half, but outrebounded Cal Poly 46-29. McLemore had a game-high eight boards, and Jackson had seven.

"It was turnovers, but we're not going to point the finger at anyone," Hahn said. "We're all in this together."

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

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