Stockton, CA (December 23) - Jono Metzger-Jones scored 14 points including four three-pointers to lead the University of Pacific to a 71-53 decision over USF Saturday afternoon in Stockton.

The Tigers, now 5-0 at home and 7-3 on the season broke out to a 21-8 early lead and were never threatened. Mike Heizer and Mike Hahn each added 11 points for Pacific. USF, now 6-6 on the season after losing their second straight, was victimized by poor shooting, hitting just 34.5% of their shots, just 20-58 from the floor and 4 of 18 from three-point range.

USF, who started Stockton native and walk-on Nick Tarbat at the point position, fell behind 21-8 as the Tigers made an eight-zero run midway through the first half. The Dons, who made just 6 of 25 field goal attempts (24%) in the first half, only got six minutes and four points from leading scorer Darrell Tucker who was whistled for his second foul just 2:14 into the contest.

But the Dons' poor shooting did not let them make a run. Starting off-guard Ali Thomas was 0-9 from the floor, James Lee 2-7 and Darrell Tucker 2-6, not the kind of numbers that USF needed to win. "We did not execute at all," said Dons' head coach Phil Mathews. "Give credit to Pacific. They played harder and smarter than we did. Now we have to get prepared for St. John's and Wisconsin-Green Bay."

The Dons did have some good news as two injured players returned to the team. Point guard Chris Barideaux, who injured his knee November 24th in Hawaii vs. Long Beach State, returned to action. Also, West Valley Junior College forward Andre Brown, who broke his wrist in preseason practice saw his first action in a Dons' uniform. Hondre Brewer, who entered the nation fourth in blocked shots, added to his total with 5.

USF's schedule does not get any easier as the Dons resume this four-game road trip with a trip to St. John's on December 30th and a game at Wisconsin-Green Bay on January 2nd.

The Dons return home to play Humboldt State on January 8th and open West Coast Conference play against Gonzaga on January 12th.