Tag: WCC

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.

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.

Tigers Stay Unbeatable at Home, Hold Off Redhawks, 56–54

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Pacific Tiger guard #10 TJ Wainwright shoots a midrange jumper to extend the Tigers’ lead against the Seattle University Redhawks, 55-48, on January 24th, 2026, in the Alex G. Spanos Center. (Photo by Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

STOCKTON – The Pacific men’s basketball team defeated Seattle University 56-54 on Saturday evening at the Alex G. Spanos Center, improving to 9-0 at home and 5-4 in WCC play, enough for fifth place in the league. Isaac Jack and TJ Wainwright led the way, delivering big plays that helped the Tigers withstand Seattle’s late surge. Jack finished with 14 points, 8 boards, and 2 blocks, and Wainwright added 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals to help Pacific remain unbeaten at home.

Pacific, which is 9-0 at home this season, welcomed West Coast Conference newcomer Seattle to Stockton. Seattle (14-8, 3-6 WCC) entered the game after defeating LMU 69-59 at home on Wednesday, and they had also achieved big upsets against Stanford, Washington, UTEP, Texas State, Denver, UTSA, and UC Davis in non-conference play.

Pacific is currently ranked 109th out of 365 teams in the NCAA NET Rankings, while the Redhawks are 118th. The WCC has six teams in the top 120, with Gonzaga leading the way at No. 4. This was the first game between the two teams since Pacific defeated Seattle 74-54 at home on Dec. 16, 1984. It was the 13th meeting between the two schools, dating back to the 1956-57 season, with Pacific leading 3-1 at home.

The Tigers began WCC play against the Redhawks at 4 p.m., eager to defend their home court, where they had been dominant all season.

Pacific’s starting lineup of TJ Wainwright, Justin Rochelin, Isaac Jack, Elias Ralph, and Jaden Clayton. Elias Ralph entered the game leading the Tigers with 17.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while also ranking in the top five in the WCC in scoring, minutes played, and free throw %.

Seattle went with Maleek Arington, Will Heimbroot, Austin Maurer, Junseok Yeo, and Brayden Maldonado. Maldonado entered the game as the Redhawks’ top scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting from the field.

Pacific quickly took control of the game, going on a 5-0 run in the first three minutes. Justin Rochelin began the Tigers’ scoring surge with back-to-back three-pointers, giving him eight points. Seattle responded with three three-pointers in four attempts, bringing the score back to 18-15.

Pacific then spread the floor offensively, attacking the paint, with Jack making huge efforts. The Tigers also won the rebounding battle 19-12, scored 20 points in the paint, and had 11 assists to Seattle’s four. The first half ended with Pacific leading 33-18.

Seattle climbed into Pacific’s lead in the second half, thanks to early mistakes. A 10-0 Redhawks run pushed the score to 35-28, and they hit three of four three-pointers down the stretch to keep within the game’s reach. By the 13-minute mark, Pacific led 42-35, with a 31-20 rebounding advantage and 14 total turnovers.

TJ Wainwright made the team’s first three-pointer since the first half, helping Pacific expand its advantage to 53-43 with three minutes left.

Seattle made one more push, going on a 17-4 scoring run over six minutes to narrow its lead to 56-55 with 13.9 seconds left. Brayden Maldonado led Seattle with 20 points, 6 of 12 from three, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Despite the Redhawks’ late surge, Pacific hung on for a 56-54 victory, thanks in large part to Jack and Wainwright’s toughness and key plays, keeping the Tigers flawless at home.

The Tigers are now on a two-game winning streak, remain undefeated at home, and are in fifth place in the WCC. Pacific will host the Portland Pilots at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, California, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 7 p.m.

17-Point Comeback Leads Pacific Tigers to Win on Powercat’s Birthday, 77-70

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Pacific Tiger guard TJ Wainwright drives into the paint for a one-handed 10-foot jumper to extend the lead by 3 points. (Photo Credits to Michael Villanueva)

Pacific Tigers (12-7, 3-3 WCC)

San Diego Toreros (7-11, 2-4 WCC)

By Michael Villanueva

STOCKTON – On Saturday evening, the Pacific Tigers celebrated more than just basketball by honoring their mascot Powercat’s birthday and defeating the San Diego Toreros 77-70 at the Alex G. Spanos Center. Tip-off took place at 4 p.m., and the home crowd saw Pacific overcome an early lead to dominate the second half.

Pacific enters and remains undefeated at home, 8-0, as it competed in its sixth West Coast Conference game of the season. The Tigers also evened the series with San Diego after the Toreros won 66-54 on December 28, 2025, at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

San Diego’s starting lineup included guards Dominique Ford, Ty-Laur Johnson, and Adrian McIntyre, as well as forwards Tim Moore Jr. and Assane Diop. Pacific’s starting lineup featured guards TJ Wainwright, Justin Rochelin, and Jaden Clayton, as well as forwards Elias Ralph and Isaac Jack.

Ralph, Pacific’s top scorer and one of the team’s leaders, came into the game averaging 17.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, providing a strong anchor as the Tigers attempted to defend their home court. San Diego scored first, with forward Assane Diop hitting a three-pointer to give the Toreros an early lead.

The first few minutes were competitive and high-energy, but Pacific struggled to establish its rhythm, shooting only 24.2 percent (8-of-33) in the first half, while San Diego shot 50 percent (12-of-24). Despite their problems, the Tigers dominated the glass 24-15. Johnson led the Toreros at halftime with 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists, driving San Diego to a 34-24 lead. The Toreros’ hustle and energy paid off early.

Pacific came out after halftime with renewed energy. Guards TJ Wainwright and Elias Ralph each made two three-pointers in the first seven minutes, cutting the score to 50-42. Wainwright led the Tigers at the time in scoring with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Ralph gave a defensive presence and scoring impact.

San Diego tried to maintain control, seizing on a four-minute Tigers scoreless drought, but Ty-Laur Johnson’s efforts — 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds — were unable to keep the lead. With seven minutes left, Pacific’s resilience and ‘eye of the tiger’ mentality began to show.

Forward, Isaac Jack battled in the post, helping the Tigers break a scoreless stretch and go on a 12-2 run to erase a 17-point lead in the second half. Jack finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds, making four of his last five attempts, while Wainwright had a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Pacific took control in the final minutes, with Jack making a layup in the paint to give the Tigers a 63-62 lead, which was followed by a critical three-pointer from Wainwright to increase the lead. From then on, the Tigers’ defense locked in, forcing San Diego to shoot 1-of-13 from their last attempts while ending strong on offense, shooting 46.9 percent in the second half, a significant improvement over their first-half 24.2 percent.

The victory tied the series at 1-1 and was Pacific’s third WCC win of the season, improving their conference record to 3-3 and overall record to 12-7. The Tigers also stay undefeated at home, giving Powercat plenty of reasons to celebrate his birthday with the team and fans.

Pacific now prepares for its next game, against the Santa Clara Broncos on Wednesday, January 14th, at 7:00 PM at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara. The Tigers are currently sixth in the WCC rankings, with Santa Clara in third place.

Pacific Tigers rallies back from 11 point lead and beats Long Beach State, 69-66

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Pacific Tiger #14 Isaac Jacks slams a putback from his teammate #6 Jayden Clayton with 17 minutes and 5 seconds left in the second half here at Alex g. Spanos Center. (Photo credit to Sports Radio Services Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific Tigers returned to the Alex G. Spanos Center for a non-conference matchup against Long Beach State. Tipoff was at 7 p.m. in Stockton – my hometown – making this a special night as I covered my first home sporting event.

One team looked to extend its early-season momentum, while the other opposing team just looked to get its first win under the bright lights in San Joaquin County. The Tigers relied on Elias Ralph after scoring 21 points in Pacific’s 78-77 loss to the Nevada Wolf Pack.

The starting lineup for the Pacific Tigers was: Justin Rochelin, Elias Ralph, Jaden Clayton, TJ Wainwright, and Isaac Jack. Leading the way in points per game is their senior forward, Elias Ralph, with 20.5, shooting 52% from the field.

Long Beach State started with: Isaiah Lewis, Leopold Levillain, Petar Majstorovic, Cole Farrel, and Gavin Sykes. Long Beach is still looking for its first win after being on the road for its first two games. With their most recent loss to Fresno State, 82-62.

The game began with intensity inside the Alex G. Spanos Center, with Pacific scoring first on a smooth mid-range jumper from Justin Rochelin to put the Tigers on the board. Long Beach State responded soon with a layup from Petar Majstorovic, setting an early back-and-forth pace.

The Beach made its presence known defensively, raising the intensity with upcourt man-to-man pressure and consistently pressuring Pacific’s guards on each inbound. Long Beach’s defensive intensity put the Tigers into challenging looks and contested shots, making it difficult for them to create a regular rhythm on offense.

Long Beach State led 15-11 with ten minutes left in the half, thanks in large part to Gavin Sykes, who scored 11 of the team’s 15 points in the first half. Sykes was also coming off the bench for Long Beach. Both teams shot less than 35% from the field and less than 16% from three-point range, but the few shots that fell early weighed heavily in what was shaping up to be a low-scoring, defensive first half.

Pacific’s shooting struggles continued throughout the first half. The Tigers went without a three-pointer until the last minute, shooting only 26.3% from the floor and 10% from beyond the arc while committing 11 turnovers against the Beach’s swarming defense. Long Beach’s length and athleticism blocked passing lanes, resulting in six steals, sparking transition opportunities and easy baskets.

Pacific finally broke through late with its first three-pointer of the night, but both teams struggled with cold shooting throughout — the Tigers went 1-for-9 from long, while Long Beach only converted one of six free throws.

Long Beach State led 30-25 at halftime. The Tigers were led by Elias Ralph, who had 7 points and 4 rebounds, while Long Beach was led by Shaquil Bender, who had 11 points and a steal, giving the Beach a small lead heading into the locker room.

Pacific came out of the break with renewed intensity on both ends of the floor. Forward Isaac Jack led the charge and quickly established his presence inside. Jack dominated the first three minutes of the half, grabbing rebounds and finishing through contact for six quick points.

Despite the Tigers’ strong start, Long Beach State responded with poise and precision. Gavin Sykes, who struggled in the first half, came alive in the early second half, scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), including 3-of-4 from deep after missing his only three-pointer earlier. Sykes’ performance allowed the Beach to expand their lead and keep control of the game.

As the second half went on, Pacific began to ramp up the intensity, attempting a determined rally. The Tigers’ big men dominated the paint, crashing the boards and attacking the hoop, forcing Long Beach to foul and sending Pacific to the free-throw line, where they began to capitalize.

The Tigers’ improved aggression paid off on the glass as well, as they outrebounded the Beach 33-26, gaining additional possessions and creating more scoring opportunities. Their hustling and inside presence helped trim Long Beach’s lead to two points, anticipating a chaotic finish with momentum shifting toward Pacific with seven minutes left of the game.

The final minute of the game was heated, coming down to the last second. Gavin Sykes of Long Beach State was fouled on a three-point attempt and made a four-point play, cutting the Tigers’ lead to four points.

Pacific soon turned the ball over on the inbounds, allowing Long Beach to score a fast layup and narrow the game even further. On their following possession, the Tigers advanced the ball past half court and found Isaac Jack, who was fouled on a putback attempt. Jack hit one of two free throws to give Pacific a three-point lead.

Long Beach had a last chance for a fast three-pointer but was unable to get it in, securing the Tigers’ hard-fought victory. Despite a poor perimeter shooting performance, Pacific’s resilience, hustle, and determination in the paint drove the comeback. Long Beach had many players in double numbers, but it was unable to fend off the Tigers’ second-half surge.

Despite a difficult shooting night from beyond the arc, the Tigers found a way to win. Pacific shot 42.3% from the field and 15% from three, but their strength inside and on the boards carried the day. The Tigers scored 34 points in the paint, pulled down 42 boards, and added 31 points off the bench, showing that effort and inside scoring were crucial to their comeback.

Alexis Marmolejos led the way with 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block, powering Pacific’s offense and defense. Isaac Jack scored 9 points and 4 rebounds in the paint, and Elias Ralph added 15 points and 9 rebounds to help secure the victory.

The Tigers will now turn their attention to the road, meeting Cal State University Fullerton (1-2) on November 15th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., hoping to build on their grit and inside domination from this hard-fought victory.

Headline Sports with Barbara Mason: Girls basketball canceled due to virus related issues; Sharks have they turned the corner?; plus more Sharks

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ap photo: The San Jose Sharks Kevin LaBanc puts one on net against the Minnesota Wild’s goaltender Alex Stalock (32) last Thursday night at SAP Center in San Jose

On Headline Sports with Barbara Mason:

#1 Girls basketball game between Menlo Park-Ahterton and O’Dowd Oakland in the Interscholastic Federation Girls basketball league was canceled due to related concerns regarding Coronavirus.

#2 San Jose Sharks showing signs of improvement have won three of their last four games. They play back to back games this weekend Saturday and Sunday.

#3 Pac 12 Women’s Tournament in Vegas is underway the Cal Bears got a 71-67 win over Arizona State University. Cal senior Jaelyn Brown led Cal with 22 points.

#4 St Mary’s mens will play on Saturday a 9:15pm tip vs. Pepperdine in the WCC Tournament. St Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett said the WCC Tournament is meal to meal event.

#5 Oakland A’s pitcher AJ Puk was given a good news regarding his shoulder. Dr. Neal Elatrache said there are no structural issues.

Barbara Mason does Headline Sports each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com