Tag: NCAA

Pacific Tigers Comeback 10 Points Late to Defeat LMU, 65–59

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Pacific Tiger guard #2 Elias Ralph shoots a midrange jumper in the 2nd half on February 11th, 2026, at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, CA. (Photo Credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

STOCKTON – On Wednesday night at the Alex G. Spanos Center, the Pacific Tigers men’s basketball team defeated Loyola Marymount 65–59 in another exciting home game, heading to their first winning season in six years.

With four regular-season games left and at least one meeting certain in the WCC Tournament, Pacific came into the meeting with an overall record of 16–10 and a 7–6 record in the West Coast Conference. The program secured its first winning season since the 2019–20 season and only the third since the Tigers returned to the WCC in 2013–14 with a win over LMU.

The Tigers had a 10-1 record inside the Spanos Center, proving their dominance at home throughout the season. The program’s best home success rate since Pacific’s 12-1 home record in the 2004– 05 season was achieved with a home winning percentage of 0.909. The Tigers’ home record was 819–463 overall, with a 356–230 record at the Alex G. Spanos Center.

In addition, Pacific started the evening alone in fourth place in the WCC standings, one game ahead of Washington State, San Francisco, and Oregon State. The game was crucial for positioning in the final stretch since a No. 3 or No. 4 seed would guarantee a bye into the conference tournament’s quarterfinal round on Sunday, March 7.

The two sides had different trends going into the game. The Lions had a 3–7 record over their last 10 games, while the Tigers had a 6–4 record.

Justin Rochelin, Jaden Clayton, TJ Wainwright, Elias Ralph, and Isaac Jack made up Pacific’s starting five. With an average of 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, Ralph had been the Tigers’ top scorer. Over the last ten games, Wainwright averaged 14.6 points and 4.0 rebounds, demonstrating a consistent scoring presence.

The starting lineup for LMU included Rick Issanza, Aaron McBride, Rodney Brown Jr., Myron Amey Jr., and Jan Vide. Brown Jr., who averaged 2.9 made three-pointers per game, scored 14.2 points, and shot 38.8 percent from beyond the arc, had been a vital perimeter danger for the Lions. Shelley had also been a consistent contributor for LMU, averaging 14 points and 5.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.

After defeating San Francisco 84-75 on the road and San Diego 83-63 at home, LMU came to Stockton with a lot of energy. Pacific was ranked No. 102 in the NCAA NET Rankings, ahead of LMU at No. 160, despite the Lions’ recent success. Pacific’s highest-ever finish, No. 110, was also obtained during the 2019–20 season, which marked the introduction of the NET Rankings.

Rodney Brown Jr. made a jumper to give Loyola Marymount the lead early in the game, but Pacific quickly answered with a jumper of their own from Elias Ralph. As the first half went on, the Tigers found it hard to get into an offensive rhythm despite their quick response.

The Lions controlled the game for most of the first half, holding the lead for nearly 16 minutes, while the Tigers led for just over two. LMU’s defensive pressure disrupted Pacific throughout the half, holding the Tigers to just 29 percent shooting from the field. After the first 10 minutes, LMU had built a 10-point advantage. With 7:30 remaining in the first half, Pacific was shooting just 21 percent from the floor, going 4-of-19.

At halftime, the Tigers trailed 31–25. Although Pacific outrebounded LMU 19–13, shooting efficiency proved to be the difference. The Tigers connected on just one of seven three-point attempts, while the Lions made five of 12 shots from long range. Pacific did find success in the paint, scoring 12 of its 25 first-half points inside, but struggles elsewhere prevented the Tigers from closing the gap before the break.

Elias Ralph sparked Pacific’s incredible comeback in the second half. He energized the Tigers and started a comeback with a made three-pointer to start the half. Ralph then led a 7-0 scoring run with a hook shot and a layup on a cut to the hoop. Pacific took advantage of LMU’s lack of scoring for the first two minutes of the second half. The score was tied 36–36 after the first 4 minutes of the half.

The Tigers then took the lead on a layup from guard Jaden Clayton, 38–36, and extended it immediately with a three-pointer from Justin Rochelin. Pacific would never relinquish the lead, erupting on a 25–5 run over nine minutes. Ralph was instrumental, finishing the game with 22 points and 7 rebounds, making 8 of 9 shots in the second half alone. TJ Wainwright contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds, while Clayton and Rochelin provided key support in crunch time. By the time eight minutes remained, Pacific had already outscored its first-half total, putting 28 points on the board in the second frame.

LMU briefly cut the lead during a four-minute scoreless stretch for the Tigers, narrowing the gap to nine points. However, Wainwright hit a clutch basket with 1:30 remaining to push the lead back to 11 and seal the win for Pacific.

The starting five of the Tigers overcame LMU’s early lead with a mix of effective defense and effective scoring play. Rodney Brown Jr. remained a perimeter threat for LMU, but the Lions were unable to keep up their domination in the first half.

With their win, Pacific moved one step closer to its first winning season since 2019–20, improving to 17–10 overall and 8–6 in West Coast Conference play. The Tigers prepared for the WCC Tournament by maintaining their momentum throughout the rest of the regular season.

In an attempt to hold onto their winning season as much as possible and keep gaining ground in West Coast Conference play, the Pacific Tigers will take on the St. Mary’s Gaels on February 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, California.

Cal Falls to No. 20 Clemson 77–55 at Haas Pavilion on Rock Your Crocs Night

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California Golden Bear forward #22 Chris Bell shoots his 2nd free throw attempt with 7:37 remaining in the 1st half in the Haas Pavilion on Saturday evening on February 7th, 2026. (Photo Credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – In front of an excited home crowd, the California Golden Bears played No. 20 Clemson on Saturday night at Haas Pavilion for Rock Your Crocs Night. However, after early signs of optimism, the Tigers easily won 77–55.

Cal came into the game having lost the previous two meetings and losing the all-time series versus Clemson 2–1. Tigers have made it three straight losses in a row. The conference matchup was made more interesting by the fact that, like Georgia Tech before them, this was Clemson’s first time visiting Haas Pavilion. The Tigers started with RJ Godfrey, Jestin Porter, Jake Wahlin, Ace Buckner, and Carter Welling, while the Golden Bears, with their starting five of John Camden, Chris Bell, Justin Pippen, Dai Dai Ames, and center Milos Ilic, took the floor.

Cal was prepared to make a statement first. Justin Pippen quickly ignited the fans with a driving layup after the Golden Bears won the tip. Cal made all three of the team’s shots, while Pippen and Chris Bell led the squad in the first few minutes, with Pippen scoring seven points without a miss and Bell adding six. whereas Clemson had a difficult start, missing multiple shots and committing two turnovers in a nearly four-minute stretch. Five minutes into the game, the Golden Bears had a 13–9 lead, and the crowd was loving it.

However, things suddenly changed quickly. The Bears committed four turnovers in just four minutes, which led to Cal’s offensive decline and allowed Clemson to gain the upper hand. As they found their groove, the Tigers played with accuracy, dishing out nine assists. Their bench also added 20 points, which increased the pressure. The game shifted in favor of Clemson after a 17–1 scoring run over almost ten minutes, as Cal missed 13 straight field goals, falling to 24 percent shooting in the first half. The Tigers’ defense forced nine turnovers, made four blocks, and recorded four steals, keeping Cal to 38 percent from three-point range and giving Clemson a dominating 39–20 advantage at halftime.

Pippen opened the second half by making a midrange jumper and turning the foul into a three-point play. Bell slowly started to find his stride and made back-to-back shots to give the Golden Bears some energy after a short scoring slump. However, Clemson kept their dominance. The Tigers led 56–41 with eight minutes left, and RJ Godfrey’s three-pointer off a foul put them ahead 59–41. Any Cal comeback attempts were consistently stopped by Clemson’s effective offense and defense, which included aggressive drives, rebounds, and smart fouls that sent them to the line.

After Cal missed another field goal going for three minutes, the Tigers took the lead by 24 points, and then the team went on a 9–0 run in two minutes late in the second half, leading fans to begin leaving Haas Pavilion with five minutes remaining. In the closing minutes, Cal coach Mark Madsen started to slowly remove his starters. Despite scoring 33 points in the second half, the Golden Bears were unable to overcome Clemson’s dominant performance. Tigers made 12 three pointers in this game, compared to the home team Bears, who only made 4 all game.

Milos Ilic pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and added two assists, while Justin Pippen led Cal with 19 points. This is Justin’s 20th game this season, scoring in double-digits.

In front of an energetic, Croc-loving home crowd, Clemson easily won the game 77–55, handing Cal a 22-point loss. After an early hot start, the Golden Bears found it difficult to recover from the Tigers’ strong offensive attack and defensive pressure. Clemson is in 2nd place, while the Cal Bears are in 10th place in their conference. Syracuse came into the West Coast and won their games, going 2-0 in the Bay.

In an attempt to bounce back from the hard loss at home, the Golden Bears will travel for their next two games, starting at 4 p.m. on February 11 against Syracuse, who are currently on a two-game losing skid, and Boston College at 9 a.m. on February 14.

Golden Bears Protect Their Cave Against Yellow Jackets, Final Score: 90-85 Cal Wins!

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California Golden Bear #7 Dai Dai Ames shoots a free throw after being fouled with 15:18 remaining in the Haas Pavilion at Berkeley, CA on February 4th, 2026. (Photo by Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – At Haas Pavilion on Wednesday night, the California Golden Bears defeated Georgia Tech 90-85. Cal improved its impressive home record to 14-2 after returning home from a conference game against Stanford and a split during last week’s two-game road trip in Florida.

With a 3-1 lead in the all-time series, Cal took on Georgia Tech for the fifth time in program history. The Yellow Jackets, however, had won the most previous game in Atlanta on February 15, 2025, 90-88 in overtime. Georgia Tech played its first game ever at Haas Pavilion on Wednesday.

Dai Dai Ames, Justin Pippen, John Camden, Chris Bell, and Milos Ilic were the Golden Bears’ starting lineup. Pippen had averaged 15 points, 4.4 assists, and two steals in the ten games leading up to this point, whereas Ames came into the game averaging 16.6 points per game for Cal.

Lamar Washington, Jaeden Mustaf, Kam Craft, Baye Ndongo, and Kowacie Reeves Jr. were the starting lineup for Georgia Tech. Reeves Jr. came into the game averaging 15.8 points per game for the Yellow Jackets, and Ndongo had averaged 12.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in the ten games prior.

Besides the excitement on the court, the evening included Cal’s Coaches vs. Cancer campaign and Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night, which honored university community members throughout the evening.

Ames made the opening basket of the evening with a midrange jumper, giving Cal a confident start to the game. The Golden Bears relied largely on Ames, who scored 10 points in the first seven minutes on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting attempt and converted each of their first three field goal attempts.

Cal took an early 17–13 lead because of Ames’ strong start, but things quickly changed after he was benched. The Golden Bears had a scoring slump, missing six straight shots in the two minutes Ames was out of the game, while Georgia Tech answered with a 4-0 run.

Midway through the first half, Cal took control again. The Golden Bears extended their lead to 26–16 with eight minutes left after making three straight 3-pointers as part of a 9–0 run that kept Georgia Tech scoreless for almost three and a half minutes.

After that, Cal started to struggle with turnovers as the Bears made three consecutive mistakes in a span of two and a half minutes. Georgia Tech took advantage of this and closed the lead with a 7-0 run. In only 41 seconds, Cal replied with a 6-0 run that included five of its final seven field goals and two more straight 3-pointers.

The Golden Bears finished the half in a rhythm, making all three of their last attempts and making two more straight 3-pointers. After playing its last three games away from home, Cal was leading 43–29 at the half because of the support of the home crowd. The Bears shot more than 50% from the field, beyond the arc, and at the free-throw line at the end of the first half, including eight 3-pointers. No place like home.

Georgia Tech had a strong start to the second half, cutting the lead to 47–44 with an 11–0 run in the first three minutes. Georgia Tech scored 15 points while Cal only managed four in the early going. The Yellow Jackets kept getting better, scoring three 3-pointers in the first five minutes—more than they had in the first half—and going on a four-minute, 20-2 run to take their first lead of the game, 51-49. The Bears were having trouble establishing a rhythm, and Cal’s 15-point halftime lead was gone. Cal only scored eight points in the paint, while Georgia Tech scored 34.

Cal’s offense came alive in the last seven minutes. Ames took back the lead at 67–65 with five baskets in 37 seconds. Chris Bell increased the lead to 70–65 with his second 3-pointer of the evening. Pippen extended the lead to 72–65 with a smooth pick-and-roll with Ilic on the next possession. In the crucial last seconds, Georgia Tech struggled to make baskets, only making two of nine shots.

Bell made another 3-pointer with two minutes left, but Fleming of Georgia Tech answered with a triple of his own to make it 80-77 with 1:00 remaining. With 43.9 seconds left, Ames drove to the basket, drew a foul, and made a 1-of-2 free throw to put Cal ahead 81-77. After that, the Golden Bears used timely scoring and precise free-throw shooting to win, 90-85.

Cal’s team highs: Justin Pippen had six assists, Milos Ilic had nine rebounds, and Dai Dai Ames had 29 points. Ames shot 69 percent from the field and missed just four shots.

John has now scored in double figures in five of the last six games and made at least one three-pointer in 22 of 23 games. Cal’s starting five all scored in double figures for the first time this season, while Dai Dai Ames recorded his tenth game of 20 points or more. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 5 p.m., the Golden Bears will host No. 20/19 Clemson at Berkeley, California’s Haas Pavilion for their final home game before a 2 game road trip to Syracuse and Boston College.

No Place Like Home, Sac State Beats Weber State, Wins 3 Home Game Stands In a Row, Final Score: 104-90

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Sacramento State Hornet guard #16 Prophet Johnson shoots a free throw in the 2nd half with 11:11 remaining in the game at the Hornet Pavilion on Monday, Feb. 2nd, 2026 (photo by the author Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SACRAMENTO – On SACTOWN Sports Night, Sacramento State defeated Weber State 104-90 to extend its winning streak to three games and maintain its dominance at the Hornet Pavilion. The Hornets came out strong and never looked back, playing their best basketball of the season. They controlled the game from beginning to end with a combination of early offensive bursts and disciplined second-half execution. Hornets are 5-0 at home in Big Sky play for the 2nd time ever.

The Hornets started the game with Prophet Johnson, Mark Lavrenov, Shaqir O’Neal, Mikey Williams, and Jahni Summers in the backcourt. Lavrenov had anchored Sacramento State on both ends of the court with four double-doubles in his previous six games, while Williams was one of the Big Sky’s leading scorers going into the contest with an average of 20.6 points per game. Tijan Saine Jr., Duce Paschal, Nigel Burris, Viljami Vartiainen, and Malek Gomma were the players that Weber State used to respond. Saine Jr. led the Wildcats with 15.9 points per game, while Gomma controlled the glass with 7.1 rebounds per game.

Shaqir O’Neal, a forward for Sacramento State, opened the game with a stunning three-pointer that sent the crowd into an uproar. The Hornets made four of their last five field goal attempts and played smart basketball with efficient ball movement, taking a 12-9 lead in the first five minutes. Sacramento State went on a 6-2 scoring run early in the game, but the Wildcats quickly reacted with four straight field goals to maintain a competitive score. With backdoor cutters and high screens, both teams began to establish a rhythm. However, the Hornets had a momentary slump, going scoreless for two minutes and making consecutive errors, which allowed Weber State to narrow the lead to 22–21.

Summers began a rapid run with back-to-back three-pointers to drive a 15-3 run that included five consecutive field goals, and Sacramento State immediately regained control with a 7-0 run after making three consecutive shots in a minute and a half. With six minutes left in the first half, the Hornets increased their lead to 33–24.

After that, Sacramento State scored 28 points in the last seven minutes of the first half, putting the game well out of reach. The streak included a three-pointer from Hornet Madi Arman, which gave Sacramento State three consecutive three-pointers and put Weber State in a scoring bind that lasted over three minutes. The Hornets kept up their impressive shooting, making twelve of their thirteen field goal attempts at the end of the half and six straight three-pointers. Summers scored 17 points to start the Hornets’ offensive early, and Sacramento State led 53–32 at the half. The Hornets would also finish with 9 threes in the 1st half.

Mark Lavrenov drove to the rim for a layup to give the Hornets their first basket of the second half, but O’Neal soon got into foul trouble and committed his fourth personal foul. Weber State scored right away, making four consecutive field goals and six of their final ten tries, while Sacramento State started slowly, lasting almost three minutes without scoring. In response, the Hornets maintained control by attacking the basket, drawing fouls, and making clutch free throws. Although Weber State’s determination and ability to get into the lane allowed the Wildcats to score more points in the second half than in the first, Sacramento State’s lead was cut to 9 points, 70-61.

Weber State put pressure on the Hornets with their aggressive defense and baskets in the paint, cutting the advantage to 83-68 with almost seven minutes remaining. Sacramento State maintained its composure as it continued to drive to the rim, draw fouls, and make free throws, despite the Wildcats scoring 42 points in the paint during the half. Weber State attempted a comeback late in the game with its sixth three-pointer of the half, but Sacramento State finished the game with confidence thanks to the Hornets’ discipline and beneficial turnovers.

Prophet Johnson, who scored 35 points and energized the offense with constant scoring from the perimeter and in transition, was the driving force behind the Hornets’ win. With nine rebounds and 18 points throughout Sacramento State’s scoring runs, Mark Lavrenov dominated the paint. Jahni Summers, who coordinated the offense and made big three-pointers that fueled the Hornets’ shooting runs, contributed five assists.

Prior to the game, Sacramento State guard Prophet Johnson was named the College Insider National Player of the Week for helping the Hornets stun Montana and Montana State, both of which were in second place in the Big Sky Conference, at home. Zach Chappell was the last Hornet to get this national award in 2022. Chappell is now the assistant general manager of the Hornets.

With their third consecutive win, Sacramento State upped its home-court record to 9-1 and reinforced its standing as one of the top 6 schools in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets will host first-place Portland State at 7 p.m. on February 7, 2026, in another major Big Sky game, hoping to build on their home-court success and continue their climb in the conference standings.

The Hornet Pavilion is buzzing with record-breaking crowds and momentum on their side. Just the Hornets hope to move this momentum and play it into road games, as the Hornets still haven’t won on the road. However, the team loves to play and thrive in their nest. Saturday’s game will conclude the team 4-game homestand.

Hornets Win Big Sky Game Against Montana State, 83-80, at Hornet Pavilion

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Sacramento State guard #1 Mikey Williams shoots a midrange jumper to tie up the score, 69-69, against Montana State Bobcats on January 29th, 2026, at the Hornet Pavilion in Sacramento, CA. (Photo by Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SACRAMENTO – In an exciting Big Sky Conference game on Thursday night at Hornet Pavilion, Sacramento State defeated Montana State 83-80 to begin its season-long four-game homestand. The Hornets defeated the Bobcats in the closing seconds of a tough game to improve to 7-1 at home and capture their seventh victory of the year. Fans were on the edge of their seats the entire time as Sacramento State used home-court energy, clutch plays, and key performances to win. The game had five lead changes and six ties.

Montana State was 13-8 overall and 7-1 in conference play going into the game, while the Hornets were 6-13 overall and 2-5 in Big Sky play. After a two-game losing run, Sacramento State returned home and used its home-court advantage and intensity to take control at key points, ending the Bobcats’ four-game winning streak. For a squad that had gone 49 days in a row without a home game earlier in the season, the win was very meaningful. The Hornets’ return to Hornet Pavilion and their eventual win were all the more meaningful during that time, which featured a seven-game road trip and the third-longest home-game break among Division I teams.

All 15 players on Sacramento State’s roster are new to the program this season, yet the Hornets showed unity and grit throughout the game. Mikey Williams, Jahni Summers, Shaqir O’Neal, Prophet Johnson, and Mark Lavrenov, their starting five, led the effort. Mark Lavrenov finished the game with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the Hornets in the paint, while Prophet Johnson led the way with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Williams helped Sacramento State keep control in the crucial closing minutes by contributing crucial scoring.

The leadership team at Sacramento State played a crucial role in directing the new roster. In his debut season, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was the general manager, and head coach Mike Bibby went back to his hometown. In a Big Sky Conference game, the two assisted in leading a newly formed squad to a big win at home. Sacramento State’s Sikh Night, which honored Sikh culture and showcased the team’s strong identity in the newly renovated Hornet Pavilion—a section of The WELL transformed into the program’s current home—marked the end of a 66-year tenure at The Nest.

Montana State selected a starting lineup with Chris Hodges, Christian King, Jed Miller, Davian Brown, and Patrick McMahon. Jed Miller led the way with 25 points as the Bobcats, who are renowned for their shooting, made nine three-pointers in the second half after making six in the first. Montana State was unable to overcome the Hornets’ home-court energy and clutch performance, even though they scored 42 points in the second half and kept the game close with several ties and lead changes.

The Hornets led 45-38 at the half after controlling the opening half. Christian King, forward for the Bobcats, opened the score early with a jumper following a Hornets turnover, but Sacramento State soon recovered. In the first 19 minutes, Mark Lavrenov scored 12 points on flawless 5-of-5 shooting and pulled down 5 rebounds, while Prophet Johnson scored 17 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists. The Hornets’ excellent three-point shooting—more than 50% in the first half—along with Lavrenov’s tenacity and unrelenting hustle in the paint allowed Sacramento State take a 10-point lead, which was sealed by an important 7-0 scoring run.

Montana State was determined to recover from their shooting in the 1st half after halftime, and the Bobcats’ shooting allowed them to do so. However, Sacramento State remained calm, relying on solid performances from Johnson, Lavrenov, and Williams, as well as the passion of their home crowd, to overcome the Bobcats’ charge. The Hornets sealed the hard-fought 83-80 victory in the closing minutes by stopping Montana State’s comeback. Sacramento State was able to go on a 14-9 run in the final four minutes. Six of those points came from guard Mikey Williams.

Hornets Prophet Johnson, Mikey Williams, and Mark Lavrenov combined for 67 points to help Sacramento State secure this win. The Hornets also shot a season high 56% from the field while also hitting eight trey’s in 18 attempts going 44%. The Hornets showed their athleticism and toughness with having 24-2 fast break total points, along with having 40 of their 83 points in the paint.

The Hornets will try to build on this win in their upcoming home game against the University of Montana Grizzlies on January 31 at 7 p.m. at Hornet Pavilion in Sacramento, California.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal fall short to Hurricanes 79-70

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Stanford Cardinal Ebuka Okorie dunks on the Miami Hurricane at the Watsco Center in Miami on Wed Jan 29, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Ebuka Okorie led Stanford with 19 points—how do you evaluate his offensive performance Wednesday night, and what adjustments do you think he could make moving forward?

#2 Ryan Agarwal contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds—what did you see from him on both ends of the floor, and how important is his role in keeping the team competitive?

#3 AJ Rohosy finished with 10 points—how would you assess his aggressiveness and shot selection in Wednesday night’s game?

#4 Benny Gealer added 17 points—what do you think he did well Wednesday night, and what areas does he need to focus on to help the team in the next game?

#5 With Jeremy Dent-Smith scoring five points and dealing with some tough defensive matchups, how does he plan to adjust the rotations or strategy to get him more consistent production?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcast Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

10-0, 10-0,10-0, Pacific Tigers are 10-0 at Home, as they beat Portland Pioneers, 74-51

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Pacific Tigers guard #2 Elias Ralph makes a midrange jumper to extend the lead, 42-25, on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, CA, against the University of Portland Pioneers (photo by Michael Villanueva-Sports Radio Service)

By Michael Villanueva

STOCKTON – The Pacific Tigers beat the University of Portland, Pioneers 74-51 on Wednesday night in a West Coast Conference game at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, California. The game, played on Dignity Health Night, came midway through WCC play and was a major win for Pacific, which stopped a five-game losing streak to Portland while remaining unbeaten at home. With the win, the Tigers advanced to 15-8 overall, 6-4 in conference play, and 10-0 in the Spanos Center, kicking off a three-game winning run at the midway point.

Pacific entered the game off a hard-fought 56-54 win against Seattle on Saturday, the two programs’ first meeting in 42 years. The game was extra important because Portland had just beaten Pacific. In their first meeting of the season, the Tigers led 86-81 in overtime before the Pilots sank three straight three-pointers on their last possessions, including a left-corner shot by Matus Hronsky with 3.0 seconds left, handing Pacific a heartbreaking 90-89 loss.

Pacific’s starting five—TJ Wainwright, Isaac Jack, Elias Ralph, Justin Rochelin, and Jaden Clayton—provided perseverance and toughness throughout the game, with four players (Ralph, Rochelin, Jack, and Wainwright) posting double-doubles this season.

Portland entered the night with a starting lineup of Jermaine Ballisager, Dante Censori-Hercules, James O’Donnell, Samuel Noland, and Mikah Ballew, looking to complete a season sweep of Pacific. Dante Censori-Hercules had been efficient as a defensive stopper all season and had his best game of the year versus Pepperdine, ending with four points, six rebounds, and four assists in 27 minutes. He backed up his performance with a season-high seven rebounds vs Loyola Marymount.

Pacific took control of the game from the start. Isaac Jack scored the first point with a layup, and the Tigers went on a 7-0 scoring run in the first nine minutes, establishing an early lead and forcing Portland to play catch-up. Pacific led 40-21 at halftime, thanks to strong performances from TJ Wainwright and Elias Ralph, who each scored 11 points. Wainwright went 5-for-6 from the field, plus two assists and two steals, while Ralph had four rebounds on 2-of-5 shooting. Pacific shot 61.5% from the floor in the first half, scoring 22 of its 40 points in the paint, executing its plan of feeding the post and creating high-percentage shots. Portland struggled to create a rhythm offensively, shooting just 24 percent from the floor (6-of-24) and 10 percent from three-point range (1-of-10).

Pacific maintained its control during the second half. Justin Rochelin started strong, going 5-for-6 and launching a four-minute scoring outburst of 6-1. The Tigers also dominated transition, scoring 10 fast-break baskets while holding Portland scoreless in their transitions. Pacific expanded its lead to 62-38 after 13 minutes, and the Tigers led 69-46 in the final three minutes, effectively securing the win. Justin Rochelin led Pacific’s diverse offense with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 11 rebounds, while TJ Wainwright contributed 15 points, one rebound, three assists, and three steals. Their performances, combined with help from the rest of the starting lineup, dominated Portland on both ends of the court.

Pacific’s win was a complete home-court effort, keeping the Tigers unbeaten at the Alex G. Spanos Center and snapping Portland’s five-game losing streak. Pacific now turns its attention to the road, riding a three-game winning run as it prepares to meet the University of San Francisco Dons on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Sobrato Center in San Francisco.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal mauled by Golden Bears, 78-66 in Battle of the Bay I, Saturday on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal guard Jeremy Dent Smith drives to the net against Cal Bears guard TJ Carr (3) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alot Sat Jan 24, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Robeson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (14-6, 3-4 ACC) squandered a double-digit first half lead and dropped their home portion of the Battle of the Bay 78-66 to the California Golden Bears (15-5, 3-4 ACC) inside of a sold out Maples Pavilion Saturday night.

Cal scored the first points of the game, but soon relinquished the small advantage over the Cardinal,  There were eight lead changes and six ties during the initial 20 minutes of game action.  The last switch would loom big throughout the rest of the game.

With all the back and forth by the longtime Bay Area rivals, Stanford managed to lead by as many as 16 points.  However, the guests from Berkeley would have a say in the scoring margin by halftime.  Both squads had runs, but Stanford’s 10-0 foray had them in the lead for more than 15 and 1/2 minutes, while Cal was in front for less than three minutes.

The Golden Bears used their small of amount of time wisely.  The eighth lead change  came just under a minute before intermission.  Cal completed a dramatic comeback, before the halftime whistle.  By the time it was recess, Cal had turned a 16-point, to a four points lead for themselves.  A 20-point turnaround before halftime, was great momentum for the Golden Bears, 38-34.

At the midway point of the conference clash, Stanford had one player in double figures, Jeremy Dent-Smith (11), while Cal had two of their own to meet the plateau.  Senior forward John Camden had 11 points, in addition sophomore guard and son of basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, Justin chipped in 10 points.

The second half was similar to the first, with Cal converting the first bucket.  Not only did they do that, but they forged a 12-0 run and led by as much as 15 points before 40 minutes elapsed on the game clock.

During the regulated 20 minutes of second half play, there was one more time the score (60) was tied.  Besides that, Cal was in front from the moment they regained the lead before halftime.  From there, they went on to outscore the Cardinal 18-6, tripling their output. At the final buzzer, Stanford had fallen to their cross-Bay rival by 12 points, 78-66.

Jeremy Dent-Smith led the Cardinal with 20 points and Ryan Agarwal added 12 points and 9 rebounds.  The top bucket-getter, Ebuka Okorie did contribute 14 points for the cause; however, it came from an abysmal 1-16 from the floor and 0-9 from 3-point land.  The bright spot was he shot 12-14 from the free throw line, which greatly assisted his final total.

The Golden Bears were led by John Camden’s game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.  The aforementioned Justin Pippen offered 18 points and six assists, in addition to Dai Dai Ames (11) and Chris Bell’s (10) points production.

Stanford will next be in action Wednesday, January 28th in South Florida, as they take on the Miami Hurricanes 6:00 PM PT and 9:00 PM ET on the ACC Network.  Cal will also fly to the Sunshine State, on the same date, to battle the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee at 4:00 PM PT and 7:00 PM ET, also on the ACC Network.  Part II of the Battle of the Bay will be Saturday, February 21, at Haas Pavilion 3:00 PM PT on the ACC Network.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Can Okorie continue his offensive charge against Cal?

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Stanford Cardinal forward AJ Rohosy (4) grabs the rebound from the Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Jan 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Can Ebuka Okorie continue his scoring surge and force Cal to adjust defensively?

#2 How will Stanford’s senior guard Jeremy Dent-Smith impact the tempo and control the backcourt against Cal’s guards?


#3 What matchup challenges will forward AJ Rohosy present inside, and can he help Stanford secure the rebounding battle?

#4 Will Ryan Agarwal’s length and scoring versatility be a key factor in stretching Cal’s defense?

#5 Can Benny Gealer’s perimeter shooting keep Stanford competitive if Cal presses late in the game?

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com


Cal Bears game wrap: Bears barely hold on in traumatic thriller for miraculous 84-78 win over #14 UNC:

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Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (left) throws down against UNC Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) in the first half at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Jan 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

#14 North Carolina Tar Heels 78 (14-4 Overall; 2-4 ACC)

California Golden Bears 84 (14-5 Overall; 2-4 ACC)

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The Bears nearly blew a 19-point lead, but at the end they came out on top in a wild and emotional thriller with a nevertheless miraculous 84-78 win over the 14th-ranked UNC Tar Heels.

Another large crowd packed into Haas Pavilion on this Saturday afternoon to see the Bears take on another ranked team. Today, it was the 14th-ranked UNC Tar Heels. Cal came into today’s game 1-4 in ACC play.

The Bears got the crowd into the game right away. Lee Dort opened the scoring with a layup and an alleyoop dunk, and John Camden hit a three to give Cal a 7-0 start.

Derek Dixon hit a three to put UNC on the board, and remind everyone that they were here to play. Dixon’s three also reminded everybody that UNC had a large contingency of fans ready to make a lot of noise as well. Dai Dai Ames hit a three to make it 10-3, but UNC scored seven unanswered points to tie the game at 10-10.

The Bears responded with an impressive 19-5 run to open up a 29-15 lead. However, the Tar Heels came charging right back with an 11-2 run to close Cal’s lead to 31-26 with 6:51 left in the first half.

Caleb Wilson went for a jumper to try and cut Cal’s lead to just three, but he missed, which spurred a monumental momentum shift for the Bears. Chris Bell hit a three to make it 34-26, and from there, the Bears went on a roll.

Camden made a layup, and was fouled. He was sent to the line, where he made his shot, and Cal now led 37-26. Seth Trimble was fouled, and hit his second of two shots from the line to make it 37-27.

Justin Pippen then hit a three to make it 40-27. Trimble hit a jumper to make it 40-29, but every time UNC was able to score two, Cal followed it up with a three. That sequence was capped off with a three by Pippen to open Cal’s lead to 52-35.

Zayden High missed a three for UNC, which killed the drill. Dai Dai Ames then hit a jumper for two, and Dixon got a layup in. Cal led 54-37 at the half.

The Bears dominated the final six minutes and 17 seconds of the first half, and closed out the half with a 23-11 run. The question was then whether Cal could carry the momentum through the layover, and into the second half. While the Bears had a rather-comfortable lead, they were still up against the 14th-ranked team in the country, and as a result their lead was far from safe.

Pippen fired the opening salvo with a dunk to make it 56-37, and Cal got their lead to 20 at 63-43. However, UNC got a little bit of momentum, back, and scored seven unanswered points to close it to 63-50. Camden threw a bad pass, which resulted in a turnover, but Wilson was thrown out of bounds. Montas Koncanas then hit a three to get the Bears back on track.

The Bears had regained the momentum, and an Aimes jumper put the Bears back ahead by 19 at 74-55 with 8:26 to go.

Then suddenly, everything changed. Wilson and Trimble were both fouled, and both hit each of their two shots from the line. Dixon then hit a three to cut Cal’s lead to 12, which was their slimmest since the first half.

It got even worse. Jayden Young hit a three to cut it to 74-65, and the sea of light blue that made its way all the way from North Carolina was on fire. After Wilson was fouled and sent to the line, UNC fans were chanting so loud, it felt like a literal UNC home game.

Caleb hit one of two from the line, and Pippen gave Cal a brief reprieve with a three to get their lead back to 11. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t last long. Henri Veesaar threw down an alleyoop dunk; Dixon hit a three and Jaydon Young was fouled and hit both shots from the line.

It was now just a four-point game at 77-73, and while the Bears still had the lead, the Tar Heels were in complete control. UNC showed throughout this entire comeback why they were the 14th highest-ranked team in the country, and that they were the clearly-superior team in this game. Even with three minutes still remaining, the Bears were doing everything they could to run down the clock.

Pippen hit a jumper to make it 79-73 with 2:52 to go. Neither team scored in their next position, and then the Bears were hit with a shot clock violation.

Trimble was fouled by Dort with 1:47 to go, which sent the former to the line. Trimble hit both, and it was back to a four-point game at 79-75.

Both teams missed shots on their next possessions. After Trimble missed a jumper, there was a scramble for the ball, but Dort was able to hold onto it to give Cal the possession. Dort was fouled by Young, so the Bears threw the ball back in. Pippen got the ball, but he too was fouled by Young. Since that was UNC’s seventh team foul, Pippen went to the line with 57 seconds left.

Pippen hit both shots from the line, but the Bears were still not out of the woods. Trimble missed a three for UNC. Dort was then fouled, and unable to hit his first shot from the line. Veesaar also missed a three.

Veesaar took another shot from beyond the arc with 19 seconds left, and it was back to a three-point game at 81-78. All the Tar Heels had to do was foul; hope whoever was fouled misses his first shot; and then hit a three to tie it.

Veesaar fouled Pippen with 10 seconds left, but Pippen hit both shots, to make it 83-78, and the Bears were now in good shape. Wilson missed a three, and that pretty much did it. Dort was fouled, and hit a three throw for the hell of it.

Dort missed his second free throw, but who cared? Because someway, somehow, the Bears miraculously held on for a big 84-78 upset over the 14th highest-ranked team in the country.

It was really three guys who pulled this one off for the Bears. John Camden led the scoring with 20 points, and Dai Dai Ames was right behind him with 19.

While Justin Pippen was tied with Ames for the second-most points with 19, Pippen was easily the player of the game on the offensive side, and quite possibly, the player of the game entirely. Pippen was 5-for-8 in field goals; 3-for-4 from beyond the arc; and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. He also had four rebounds and five assists.

On the defensive side, it was Lee Dort, who had 12 rebounds, 10 of them on defense. Dort also scored seven points, and threw in a pair of assists for good measure.

This is the Bears’ second win this season against a Top 25 team. The Bears are now 2-4 in ACC play, and 14-5 overall.

The Bears will have the next week off, and then they will head across the bay to Palo Alto to take on their hated rivals in all facets of life, the Stanford Cardinal, next Saturday. Afterwards, they will head to Florida for a pair of games: Wednesday, Jan. 28 in Tallahassee, against Seminoles; and Saturday, Jan. 31, just west of Miami, in Coral Gables, against the Miami Hurricanes.

Tipoff at Maples Pavilion next Saturday will be at 5 p.m.