HAYWARD, CA – The No. 2 seeded Menlo College men’s basketball claimed the 2007 California Pacific Conference Tournament Championship tonight with a 61-49 win over No. 4 seeded William Jessup University.

The first half was close with both teams shooting over .450 from the field. Jessup took a 29-26 halftime lead into the locker room but saw it quickly vanish in the second half as the Oaks 43 percent from behind the three-point line. A fast break lay-up by senior Bryon Wesley at 17:47 in the second half tied the game. A steal by junior guard Chris Cobb initiated another fast break to senior guard Cody Christensen, who was fouled on the made basket to give Menlo the 34-31 lead.

Menlo maintained their balance offense with six players scoring eight or more points. Junior forward Brandon Cochran led the Oaks with 13 points and 9 rebounds. California Pacific Conference Defender of the Year Bryon Wesley finished the night with 11 points.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for us,” said Head Coach Brandon Laird. “We’re excited to be headed back to Branson for the National Tournament and hope to represent the Cal Pac well.”

The Oaks’s last national tournament appearance was in 2002 after defeating then Cal Pac member, Cal State Monterey Bay, 74-71 in the conference tournament. In Missouri, Menlo fell to Robert Morris College, 80-66. Assistant coach Justin Trott and volunteer assistant coach Trevor Mattes were both members of the 2001-02 California Pacific Conference Tournament team.

For more information on the tournament, click here to be directed to the NAIA championship website.