ANGWIN, Calif. - Last time it took a buzzer beater for Menlo College to distance itself from Pacific Union. This time the Oaks spent 40 minutes showing the gap between the two had widened significantly.
Menlo evened its California Pacific Conference record for the first time all season with a dominant 69-50 road victory over the Pioneers and clinched a home game in the Cal Pac Tournament's opening round next week.
Pacific Union was stifled from the start as the Oaks limited the home team to just 27.3 percent shooting in the opening half en route to a 32-19 halftime lead. Menlo allowed the Pioneers to shoot just 35.7 percent on the night, including 2-for-12 from long range. Meanwhile, the Oaks shot 56 percent from the field, made 7-of-11 3-pointers, and owned the glass, grabbing 38 rebounds to Pacific Union's 20.
Julian Harris led Menlo's efficient offensive performance with 15 points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep. Forward Nick McCullar finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The trio of Ryan Dung, Patrick Greene, and Dejon Grant gave the Oaks a boost off the bench. Dung netted 13 points - including three 3-pointers - while Greene had 12 points and six rebounds, and Grant finished with nine points and six assists. Center Andrew Young scored six points with as many rebounds.
Menlo improves to 5-5 in the Cal Pac and 9-14 overall. It takes on William Jessup (8-2, 13-12) at 8 p.m. on Thursday for Senior Night. Pacific Union is 3-7 in conference and 4-15 overall.