NEWBERG, Ore.- Camy Aguinaldo (Senior/Honolulu, HI) knocked down two free throws with eight seconds remaining in the contest to complete Pacific's comeback over George Fox to win their Northwest Conference opener, 69-68.
The Boxers trailed by as many as 21 points in their first game of the conference schedule but railed behind excellent offensive displays from Aguinaldo and Brilie Kovaloff (Junior/Honolulu, HI). Despite starting the game by going 3-of-15 from the floor and 1-of-8 from three-point range, Pacific would finish with a field-goal percentage of 41.5%.
George Fox was forced into 21 turnovers by the stifling Boxer defense. The Bruins shot close to 50% from the field in the first half but went just 5-of-14 in the final period to allow the Boxers to get back into the game.
Aguinaldo poured in a game-high 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting while hitting 4 of her 8 three-point attempts. Kovaloff scored a season-high 21 points as she knocked down 5-of-13 points from beyond the arc.
Kaylee-Brooke Manuel (Junior/Nanakuli, HI) was terrific in her first start of the season as she nearly recorded a double-double with 10 points and eight boards. Sydney Gray (Junior/Central Point, OR) pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds while chipping in with four.
How It Happened
The Boxers struggled to find any rhythm offensively in the first 10 minutes as they went just 3-for-15 to start the contest. This allowed the Bruins to race out to a 17-7 lead as the Boxers were unable to break into double-digits.
The shooting woes would continue in the beginning of the second period and George Fox would see their lead increase to 21 points. A quick run from the Boxers towards the end of the half would cut the deficit to 10 points as the teams would head into the break.
The Boxers found their footing in the third quarter when Rilee Price (Junior/Brea, CA) nailed a three-pointer to make it a single-digit lead for the hosts. Back-to-back layups from Manuel and Aguinaldo would cut the lead to just four points at the seven-minute mark in the third period. A short run from the Bruins would help extend their lead back into double figures. Aguinaldo would respond by rattling off five straight points and make it a manageable task for the Boxers in the final 10 minutes.
Kovaloff kept the momentum in Pacific's favor with a huge three-pointer on their first possession. Baskets from Madison Dunlop (Sophomore/Palmer, AK), Aguinaldo, and Kovaloff sparked a 10-1 run. Another jumper from Aguinaldo gave Pacific their first lead of the game with five minutes left in the game.
George Fox regained life and answered with an 8-0 run of their own, making the score 68-60 with 2:17 left in the game. The Boxer defense stepped up when it mattered most, holding the Bruins scoreless for the remainder of the contest. Manuel started the comeback with a pair of buckets in the paint before Kovaloff hit her fifth three of the game.
The Boxers trailed by one point and were forced to foul with 28 seconds remaining. Pacific would foul and quickly get the ball back after two missed free throws from the hosts. In the dying seconds of the game, Aguinaldo drove to the basket and drew a foul. The senior point guard clutched up and made both foul shots to give Pacific the victory and complete the improbable comeback.
By The Numbers
- Pacific only led for 28 seconds.
- The Boxers snap a three-game losing streak with tonight's win.
- Aguinaldo and Kovaloff combined for 48 of Pacific's 69 points.
Up Next
The Boxers look for back-to-back wins tomorrow afternoon when they host Pacific Lutheran at 4 p.m. inside the Stoller Center.
For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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December 04, 2021 at 12:21PM
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Boxers Complete Improbable Comeback In NWC Opener - Pacific University Athletics
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