The Cal State Stanislaus men’s basketball team will face staggering odds today in the form of the University of Pacific Tigers, the Division I power that has had a history of stomping all over the Warriors.

UOP controls the series at 6-0.

Yep, that’s the Warriors’ nonconference opponents, as the two Central Valley programs will play each other at the Spanos Center in Stockton today at 7 p.m. Stanislaus is coming off another close loss to California Collegiate Athletic Association foe Chico State, which only escaped with a 61-59 nail-biter after Marcus Lever’s 22-feet attempt at the buzzer bounced off the back of the rim in Chico’s Acker Gym on Wednesday night.

In the season opener against Chico State on Nov. 18, the Warriors were leading before dropping the game, 64-59.

Wednesday’s defeat pulled down the Warriors to a 2-4 overall record (1-3 CCAA). Against Chico State, Reggie Jones once again led Stanislaus with 18 points, as teammate and outside shooter Dan Daviess nailed two three-pointers in the final minute to finish 11 points.

At one point, the Warriors were down by 15 points. And with just two minutes left in the game, they were behind by nine, but managed to make it interesting toward the end.

But now, they have to focus on the Tigers.

UOP is 6-4 overall and coming off a 79-59 loss at Texas A&M, as the Tigers are led by Sam Willard, who averaged 18.5 points before the start of this week.

To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.