LOS ANGELES – In a game that was much closer than the final score indicated, LMU made enough plays down the stretch to get past the Pacific men's basketball program 80-71 Tuesday at Gersten Pavilion.
 
Pacific (9-6, 0-2 WCC) led 56-55 midway through the second half when LMU (10-5, 1-1 WCC) went on a run, and the Tigers could never regain control. Still, the Tigers trailed just 65-62 with 3:52 remaining but the Lions were able to get stops defensively and make free throws to close it out.
 
Pacific led for more than half the game. The contest featured five ties and six lead changes.
 
Senior Elias Ralph recorded his second consecutive double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was joined in double-figures by senior TJ Wainwright with 15 points.
 
Assisting the attack was senior Jaden Clayton with nine points and eight assists. Senior Justin Rochelin and freshman Jaion Pitt pitched in with eight points apiece.
 
Both teams shot it well from long range was Pacific was 7-of-15 (.467) and LMU was 10-of-24 (.417). The Tigers outrebounded the Lions 39-31 and held a 15-4 advantage in second chance points.
 
The Tigers trailed 5-3 early when they went on a 7-0 run to lead 12-5 after a three by Ralph. Pacific was ahead 18-10 at the 10:50 mark after a pair of free throws by junior Kajus Kublickas.
 
A lay-up by Clayton had the Tigers leading 37-30 with 1:21 to go. LMU scored the final bucket of the half at the last second but Pacific carried a 41-37 edge into the break.
 
The Lions came out hot early in the second and leaped ahead 48-44 with 17:38 left after a three-pointer. Pacific still trailed 49-47 when a pair of free throws by senior Isaac Jack started an 8-0 run as a bucket by Ralph put the team back on top 55-49 with 12:12 left.
 
LMU answered with a 9-1 run to regain a 58-56 lead with 9:48 remaining. The Tigers called timeout trailing 65-60 with 5:27 to go. Pacific kept it at a 76-71 spread with a minute left, but the Lions were able to get stops and make free throws to stay in front.
 
Up next, the Tigers home Friday to host Oregon State at 7 p.m. at the Alex G. Spanos Center where they are 5-0 this season.
 

Elias being Elias#PacificProud pic.twitter.com/vwCnWXQj8X

— Pacific Men's Basketball (@PacificMensBB) December 31, 2025

NOTES
- The Tigers dropped to 7-1 when leading at the half.
 
- Pacific is now 4-1 this year when coming off a loss.
 
- The Tigers entered the game ranked 45th in the nation in free throw percentage (.763) and shot 20-of-26 (.769) for the game. All eight student-athletes that checked in for the Tigers made at least two free throws.
 
- Ralph became the second Tiger this season to register back-to-back double-doubles after Jack did it against Cal and Simpson. Ralph, who played 40 minutes for the third time this year, tallied his 25th career double-double, 14th at Pacific and fourth this season. He entered the game ranked top-40 in the nation in minutes played (34.3 mpg).
 
- Wainwright drained at least 15 points for the third game in a row and fourth time in the last five matches. It was his 47th career double-digit scoring outing and 11th at Pacific. He drilled a trio of long range shots and has made at least one in 14 of 15 games.
 
- Clayton began the day ranked 43rd in the country in assists (5.6 apg) and distributed eight. He returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last nine contests. Pacific has only used two starting lineups on the year.
 
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