Pacific Index

Pacific’s men’s basketball team claw their way to the top

   Over the weekend, Pacific’s men basketball delivered a thrilling performance in the Ken Schumann Classic. They managed to come away with two wins over both California Maritime Academy and the University of Redlands. Pacific came into the weekend holding a 2-2 record after the first week of the season, but are continuing to find ways to improve their game.

   The first game showcased a strong defensive performance by Pacific. The Boxers forced 16 turnovers and held the Keelhaulers shooting to only 40 percent. Pacific held and maintained a lead that continued to grow in the second half. The Boxers handled their business at the end of the game, taking the 91-75 win. Jake Blazona led the way in this matchup as he dropped 19 points, and gained nine rebounds.

   In the second game, the Boxers got off to a slow start. Multiple turnovers and missed shots by the Boxers quickly led to the Bulldogs capitalizing. After the first ten minutes of play, the Bulldogs amassed a 26-10 lead as the Boxers struggled to score. The Bulldogs lead continued to grow as the game progressed, and the Boxers eventually found themselves down 23 points, but this lead was cut down to 15 by the end of the first half. 

   Entering the second half, Pacific continued to go shot for shot with the Bulldogs. Seniors Luke Winkler and Devin Fortune began to find themselves in a groove and led the team on a 14-0 run. With only three minutes remaining, the Boxers grabbed their first lead since the beginning of the game and held onto it tightly. With a few minutes still remaining in the game, the Boxer’s defensive efforts held the Bulldogs to only three more points and Pacific secured the win.

   Luke Winkler shined brightly in this game. The 2023 first-team all-conference guard finished the night with 30 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and five steals. Meanwhile, teammate Devin Fortune found himself ending the game with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Winkler credits the halftime adjustments for the positive change in the second half. “We made some adjustments to our press break which helped us take care of the ball and build some momentum on offense.”

   Although it is still very early in the season, the Ken Schumann classic was a great test early on for Pacific. The Redlands showcased a strong squad that finished with a 16-9 record the previous season. Luke Winkler emphasized the importance of continuing to grow throughout the season. “It’s still early in the season so I think continuing to develop chemistry and allowing people to find their role has been something we are working on. But we know that competing on the defensive end will always lead to success.”

   After this weekend the Boxers are looking good, holding a 4-2 record so far on the season. 

   The team plays next December 12, versus Schreiner University at Stoller.