STOCKTON, Calif. – In the first game of 2025, the Pacific men's basketball program dropped a nail-biter to San Francisco 89-81 on Thursday at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
Pacific (5-12, 0-3 WCC) led as late as the 3:22 mark of the second half before San Francisco (13-3, 3-0 WCC) was able to pull away in the end. The closely contested match-up featured nine ties, 10 lead changes and a lot of offense as both teams shot over 50% from the field.
 
The Tigers were guided by junior Elijah Fisher who totaled a game-high 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 6-of-7 from the line. A big night also came from junior Lamar Washington who was one point shy of his career-high with 18 points.
 
Four Pacific student-athletes scored in double-figures. Junior Jefferson Koulibaly was 6-of-12 from the field for 14 points, while senior Elias Ralph netted 13 points.
 
The Tigers outrebounded the Dons 29-28. Pacific also held a 40-22 advantage in points in the paint and 18-17 in second chance points.
 
USF was paced by Malik Thomas who scored 24 points and Marcus Williams with 22. The Dons were 19-of-21 (.905) from the free throw line.
 
Pacific started slow and trailed 15-9 before going on an 8-0 spurt to take a 17-15 edge at the 9:26 mark after a fast break bucket by Fisher. A second chance basket by Koulibaly kept the Tigers ahead 27-23 with 3:51 left.
 
USF regained a brief 34-33 lead near the end of half, but the Tigers scored last with a jumper by Koulibaly to go into the break in front 35-34.
 
Like the first half, Pacific came out cold in the second as the Dons scored the first nine points to lead 43-35. The Tigers chipped away and trailed just 46-45 after a three by Koulibaly with 15:09 remaining.
 
Pacific was down just 56-55 at the midway point after a score by sophomore Jazz Gardner. The Tigers took their first lead of the half 69-68 after a pair of free throws by Ralph with 5:53 to go.
 
A jumper by Fisher put the Tigers ahead 73-70 at the 3:56 mark. Pacific was still in front 74-73 at the final media timeout.
 
Though, a decisive 6-0 run down the stretch by the Dons was enough to stay in front. A pair of free throws by Williams gave USF an 83-76 advantage with 58 seconds left.
 
Pacific will remain at home Saturday when it hosts Pepperdine at 4 p.m. at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The game can be watched on ESPN+ with Zack Bayrouty and Don Gubbins on the call, and heard live for free on Fox Sports 1280 AM with Dennis Ackerman as the voice.
 

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NOTES
- Pacific is now 807-457 all-time at home and 344-223 in the Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
- It's the first time in five games this year that the Tigers fell despite scoring at least 80 points.
 
- Fisher was three points shy of his career-high 28 points set against Arkansas-Pine Bluff earlier this year. It was his sixth 20-plus scoring performance of the season and second in a row as he poured in 20 points Monday at San Diego. Fisher entered the game ranked eighth in the nation in free throw attempts and is now up to 91.
 
- Washington tied his career-high for three-pointers made in a game with three. He registered his 10th double-figure scoring game of the year and 12th of his career. Washington's seven free throws made were a season-high.
 
- Koulibaly was one point away from matching his career-high of 15 points against Portland State earlier this season. It was his seventh double-digit scoring performance and second in a row. Koulibaly's six made field goals were a career-high.
 
- Ralph continued his streak of scoring in double-figures in every game this season. It was his 77th career double-digit scoring outing which included 60 times in four years at the University of Victoria.
 
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.
 
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