MALIBU, Calif. - After falling behind early against the Waves, the Tigers clawed their way back into the game in the second half, going on a 12-0 run in the third to make it a one-possession lead. The Waves held off the Tiger's second-half comeback with a few late baskets to escape with the 74-65 win. 

Three Tigers reached double-digit point totals, freshman Elizabeth Elliott led the way, with 15 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Cecilia Holmberg had 15 points, and freshman Anaya James had 13 points with seven rebounds and five assists. 

The Waves controlled much of the first half, starting the scoring early and jumping out to an eight-point lead in the first. After scoring 26 points in the first quarter, the Waves had a lead as large as 21 points in the second quarter before the Tigers came alive on offense to cut that lead to 12 points heading into the half. 

In the second half, the Tiger's defense came alive, led by junior Sam Ashby with three steals and two from freshman Diamond Richardson and senior Jordan Cruz. The Tigers were able to outscore the Waves 25-17 in the third quarter. Elliott scored 14 points in the quarter, including 12 in the first 4:55. 

Holmberg led the Tigers in the fourth, scoring six points in the first half of the quarter to bring the Tigers within two. Moments later, James, off a turnover, scored to tie the game for the Tigers and hit the following free throw to take the lead. The Waves would put the Tigers away with back-to-back threes to take a five-point lead and clinch the victory. 

The Tigers head further south, traveling to play San Diego on Thursday, Feb 17.