Pacific’s dynamic backcourt fuels Tigers on offense

Pacific will be without guard T.J. Wallace (foot) in its rematch with Gonzaga on Saturday in Spokane, but wing Anthony Townes has emerged as a scoring option in the second half of the season.

Ray Bowles (12.8 points, 34.6 percent from field) is the team’s top scorer, followed by Wallace (12.5). Bowles is a sturdy, 215-pound guard that will will challenge GU guards from beyond the 3-point arc and with dribble penetration.

Townes, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, was a non-factor in Gonzaga’s 81-61 win on Dec. 31. He picked up four fouls in seven minutes. He has scored in double figures in 10 of the last 12 games, bumping his scoring average to 9.6 points.

Townes will have a size advantage, at least initially, against the Zags’ three-guard starting unit.