Irvine Hopes Pacific’s Record Stays Intact

When University of the Pacific fell to 0-7 in Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. play and Coach Tom O’Neill resigned, UC Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said it was a shame because the Tigers weren’t playing that badly.

“They do some things pretty well,” Mulligan said. “Look how many close ones they’ve lost. They’re going to win a game.”

Well, Pacific (5-18 overall and 0-13 in conference) has lost six more since, stretching its losing streak to 16, and Mulligan hopes his prediction doesn’t become fact tonight at 7:30 in the Bren Center when the Anteaters play host to the Tigers.

Thursday night, UC Santa Barbara beat the Tigers, 97-59. But Irvine (12-10, 8-6) struggled to beat them, 87-81, Jan. 21 in Stockton. And the Anteaters, even with a pair of wins in a row, aren’t exactly on a roll.

The Anteaters struggled to beat Fresno State, 82-78, in double overtime Thursday night.

Center Wayne Engelstad played 49 minutes and scored 34 points. He had six rebounds, including two that led to a basket and two free throws in the second overtime.

Pacific relies on guard Domingo Rosario and forward Christian Gray. Rosario, a 6-foot 5-inch junior, is scoring 15 points a game. Gray, a 6-4 senior, is averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds.