MANOA, Hawaii – A back-and-forth game didn't go Pacific's way down the stretch as the men's basketball program dropped a 76-66 decision to Hawaii on Monday evening in the championship game of the Outrigger Rainbow Classic at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Pacific (3-1) finished 2-1 in the tournament with wins over San Jose State 80-67 and Life Pacific 94-41. After the game, senior Elias Ralph and sophomore Elijah Fisher were named to the Outrigger Rainbow Classic All-Tournament Team.
 
The Tigers led by six early in the second half and trailed just 56-55 with 7:30 remaining when Hawaii (3-0) was able to go on a run in the end. The hard fought battle featured five ties and three lead changes.
 
Fisher registered a game-high 21 points and seven rebounds. He drew 12 fouls and was 13-of-17 from the free throw line.
 
Ralph shot .500 from the field on 7-of-14 shooting and tallied 17 points and eight rebounds. Junior Lamar Washington recorded 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
The Tigers couldn't overcome foul trouble for most of the game and a tough shooting night. Pacific was 2-of-13 (.154) from long range and shot .377 from the floor.
 
A back-and-forth first half started with the Tigers scoring the first six points including four from Ralph. A three by junior Jefferson Koulibaly made it a 9-2 game at the 17:01 mark.
 
Pacific led 11-6 when the Rainbow Warriors went on a 12-0 spurt to jump ahead 18-11 with 11:27 left. Hawaii was in front 25-17 when the Tigers answered with a 6-0 run as a lay-in by freshman Solomon Ominu cut it to 25-23 with 5:16 to go.
 
The Tigers took the lead 29-27 after a basket by Ralph at the 3:15 mark. They remained in front 37-35 at the half after a free throw by Fisher.
 
Pacific scored the first two buckets of the second half to lead 41-35 after a lay-up by Washington. The Tigers led 42-40 with 15:58 remaining after a free throw by Fisher.
 
Hawaii came back to tie it 44-44 and grabbed a 54-48 edge with 9:28 to go. A driving lay-up by Ralph trimmed it to 56-55, but the Rainbow Warriors responded with an 8-0 run to lead 64-56 with 4:54 remaining. Hawaii increased it to double-figures with 2:01 left.
 
The Tigers will return home Thursday for a 7 p.m. game against Northern Arizona. It will be Pacific's second game at the Alex G. Spanos Center this season after opening with a 92-65 victory over Jessup.
 

Congrats to Elias Ralph and Elijah Fisher on being named to the All-Tournament Team.#PacificProud pic.twitter.com/ng3wPE0AKk

— Pacific Men's Basketball (@PacificMensBB) November 12, 2024

NOTES
- Pacific limited Hawaii to a 3-of-17 (.176) mark from three-point range. The Tigers have held the opposition to under .300 from beyond the arc in all four games this year.
 
- Fisher, who was coming off a 21-point outing against LPU, became the first Tiger to net consecutive 20-plus scoring performances since Jeremiah Bailey in 2020-21. Fisher has scored in double-figures in all four games this year and 20 times in his two-year career so far.
 
- Like Fisher, Ralph has reached double-digits in scoring in every game this year. It was his 64th career double-figure scoring game and he's now shooting .674 from the field on the season.
 
- Washington notched his fourth career double-figure scoring performance and second this year. He's averaging 9.3 assists per game.
 
- With a pair of long range shots, Koulibaly has hit 7-of-14 (.500) threes on the season. Koulibaly finished with eight points.
 
- The Tigers entered the game with a 3-0 record which was their best start since 2013-14.
 
Tigers Tickets
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through the PacificTigers.com tickets tab, or by calling the Box Office at 209-946-2474.  Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a group discount and exclusive fan experiences.
 
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific Men's Basketball, be sure to follow the team on X (@PacificMensBB), Instagram (@PacificMensBB) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Men's Basketball).
 
#PacificProud