Pacific women’s hoops avoids COVID scare, preps for four-game home stretch

The University of the Pacific women’s basketball team avoided another coronavirus-induced two-week quarantine.

The Tigers’ road game scheduled at BYU this past Saturday was postponed due to COVID concern in Pacific’s program. But, what was originally thought of to be a positive test, ended being a false positive after the player tested negative five times in a row.

“Nobody wants to be in a two-week quarantine,” senior forward Brooklyn McDavid said. “I think it just takes all the progress you have made and puts you back a month, really.”

So, instead of having to stop all basketball-related activities for 14 days, the Tigers can remain on the court, as they prepare for a four-game home stretch.

“It was definitely a little bit of relief, but I think we were prepared either way to shut down again,” senior forward Valerie Higgins said. “This team is just really resilient with everything we have been going through. We are in the middle of a pandemic, and we are here playing still on campus and fighting. I just think we are going to make the most of everything that comes our way.”

Pacific will be at the Spanos Center for the next two weeks, beginning with two home games this week against Loyola Marymount on Jan. 21 (7 p.m.) and Pepperdine on Jan. 23 (2 p.m.)

The Tigers’ matchup against the Lions will feature the return of Tracy-native and former St. Mary’s High School star Ariel Johnson, who transferred to Loyola Marymount after two seasons at Florida.