– Jon Charron –

Pacific Grove outscored Stevenson 15-5 in the fourth quarter, to pick up their fifth straight league victory. [1-20-16]

After a low scoring first quarter by both teams, the second quarter turned into a three-point show. The Breakers and the Pirates combined for nine three-pointers in the quarter, with Jake Merenda and Brad Sendell each hitting two for the Breakers.

Coming out of the first half, the Breakers held a 29-26 lead over the Pirates. The two teams battled back and forth throughout the quarter.

Brad Sendell brings the ball across half court during the third quarter of the Breakers 58-44 victory over Stevenson

After Stevenson pulled within 1 point, Zack Miller scored 4 straight points off of Brad Sendell misses, to put the Breakers back up by 5. Following a Sam Fenstermaker basket, the Pirates would close the quarter out on a 5-0 run, to head into the fourth quarter only down 4.

Sendell, kick started things offensively for the Breakers to start the fourth, by finding an open Zack Miller down low for the easy basket. Sendell followed that up with a basket of his own. In total, the Breakers would outscore the Pirates by 10 points in the fourth quarter. Sendell had 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist in the quarter, while Zack Miller had a big quarter himself. Scoring 7 points, picking up 3 rebounds and 1 steal.

Asked what the difference between the fourth quarter and the first three were, Pacific Grove head coach Brad Powers said it was about the defensive. “We started to wear them down a little bit, and we guarded a little bit better. I think they were tired too, with fatigued legs. They’re very talented offensively, so we just tried to break their rhythm a little bit and get some stops.”

Pacific Grove will stay at home for their next match against Gonzales Friday night. “We’re just trying to improve,” Powers said about the upcoming game. “In three weeks we want to be better and Friday gives us another opportunity to do that.”

Pacific Grove (11-3, 5-0) will next play at home against Gonzales (1-10, 0-4) on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.