Motta scored four points in a critical 7-0 run to close the game for the Boxers. After hitting the go-ahead lay-in with 44 seconds left, the junior blocked a lay-in by John Parsons as the shot clock expired. Parsons fouled, and Motta connected on both free throws for a 74-71 Pacific lead. The Stags (4-4) had Andrew Skrip in place for a three-pointer with two seconds left, but Motta’s block sent the shot to the floor and ran out the clock.
Motta’s performance capped a strong night for Pacific’s posts. Ross Bartlett scored 16 points, on 6 of 7 shooting from the field, to go along with six rebounds. Guard Ryan Turcott also connected for 16 points as all five Pacific starters finished in double figures. Branden Kawazoe hit for14 points, and Motta and Mison Henley each scored 10.
Free throws played a critical role in the victory as the Boxers went 24 of 27 from the line, including going 12 of 14 in the first half to counterbalance a 19 percent performance from the field.
Miles Taylor led the Stags with 18 points as all five Claremont starters also finished in double figures. Craig Borengasser finished with 12 and Dan Winterbottom connected for 11.
Claremont controlled action in the first half, holding the Boxers to four field goals as they carried a 27-22 lead into halftime. The Stags opened up a 12-point lead on Emanuel Maceira’s jumper with 15:34 left, but Turcott’s three-pointer ignited a 15-0 Pacific run that put Pacific up 54-45 with 8:25 left. The run included three longballs as the Boxers hit 6 of 8 from three-point range in the half.
Missed shots and four Pacific turnovers in the final five minutes allowed the Stags back into the game. Parson’s lay-in with 2:58 left brought Claremont to within one, but a pair of Turcott free throws put Pacific back up three with 1:58 left. After a pair of missed three-pointers, Borengasser came through for the Stags, hitting a lay-in and the subsequent free throw with 34 seconds left to force overtime.
Both teams seesawed through the first two minutes of overtime until Chaz Turner’s three-pointer put Claremont up four, 71-67, with 1:51 left to set up Pacific’s 7-0 game-winning run.
Pacific will play their next four games on the road, opening their road trip Friday with rematch against Southern Oregon in Ashland. The Stags return to play next Saturday at Westmont.