COLLEGE BASKETBALL / SOUTHLAND ROUNDUP

Pacific 64, UC Irvine 55--Once again, the Anteaters seemed to have the game in hand. Once again, they let it slip away.

Pacific (8-7, 3-2 in the Big West) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final seven minutes. The Tigers went on a 23-3 run and scored the game’s last 16 points.

It was the second time in as many games the Anteaters have had a big fade down the stretch. They were outscored, 18-8, in a loss to Idaho last Saturday. That game, at least, was on the road. This one was at home and Irvine had dominated the first 32 minutes.

But the Anteaters (5-10, 1-4) went one for 10 from the field and had four turnovers on their last 14 possessions.

Pacific’s comeback started harmlessly enough with two free throws by Jason Williams (11 points). The Anteaters’ only field goal after that was a three-point basket by Gabe Cagwin with 5:37 left.

Clay McKnight scored seven of his 16 points during the run.