Pacific Edges UC Irvine, 73-71

UC Irvine’s DeForrest Boyer missed a falling-down, six-foot shot as time ran out and Pacific held on for a 73-71 Big West victory in front of 1,731 in the Bren Center.

The Anteaters, 5-8 and 2-3 in Big West, led by 16 early, were outscored, 23-0, midway through the game, fought back from a 10-point deficit with 3:42 to go and had the ball in Boyer’s hands underneath the basket, trailing by two with 2.3 seconds remaining.

“I believe I was fouled,� Boyer said, “but they didn’t blow the whistle, so it’s over now.�

“I kind of got him on the arm,� Pacific guard Charles Terrell said, “but, hey, you have to play aggressive and the refs aren’t going to see everything.�

Pacific (10-7, 4-2) shot 70% in the second half after making 38% in the first half.