STOCKTON, Calif. – Close finishes and high scoring have defined the Tigers season, and on Monday night, there were both. The Tigers fell to San Diego by four, a final of 81-77 and had a chance to tie the game with under a minute remaining. 

Jordan Cruz tied her career-high in points with 20 coming off the bench, adding three assists as well. Elizabeth Elliott scored 14 points in 18 minutes as she only missed one shot. Anaya James added 12 points and led the Tigers in rebounds and assists with seven and six. Sam Ashby recorded six rebounds and four assists along with eight points. 

The two teams stayed close for the entire game. The Tigers lept out to an early lead, going up by seven with just over four minutes in the first quarter. San Diego kept it close, but the Tigers did not trail in the first half. The Tiger's energy and multiple San Diego turnovers helped propel the Tigers to a seven-point halftime lead. 

After a Sam Ashby three to start the fourth quarter, the two teams stayed deadlocked. The Toreros had all the momentum coming out of the half, scoring 15 straight points to take an eight-point lead over the Tigers. Stunned but not out yet, the Tigers battled back, keeping San Diego from pulling away and going on a 7-0 run to close out the quarter and cut the San Diego lead to three. No team could take more than a two-possession lead for the remainder of the game. Clutch shooting from the Toreros and turnovers from the Tigers doomed Pacific as they fell to San Diego. 

The Tigers are back at home on Thursday as they host San Francisco. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.