BERKELEY, Calif. – A pair of four-game winning-streaks will clash Saturday when the Pacific men's basketball program faces Cal in a 2 p.m. game at Haas Pavilion.
 
Pacific's (7-2) four-game streak is its longest since 2019-20. The Tigers last won five straight in 2009-10 (they won five in a row in 2012-13 but those wins were vacated).
 
Furthermore, Pacific has won four consecutive games by double-figures for the first time since 2002-03 when it beat Western Kentucky 70-57, St. Joseph's 62-50, Idaho 73-50 and Utah State 66-54. The last time the Tigers won five straight by double-figures was 1997-98.
 
With a 7-2 record, Pacific is off to its best start through nine games since 2013-14 when the team began 8-1.
 
Cal (7-1) has won four straight with victories over Presbyterian 67-57, Sacramento State 91-67, No. 18 UCLA 80-72 and Utah 79-72. The Golden Bears are 7-0 at home. Their only loss was a 99-96 road decision at Kansas State.
 
The Tigers rank second in the West Coast Conference and top-30 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 65.0 points per game. Pacific is second in the league and top-40 in the country in defensive rebounding with 28.8 per outing.
 
The Tigers are coming off an 80-65 road win at Air Force. Senior Elias Ralph poured in a career-high 31 points, while junior Kajus Kublickas registered career-highs of 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Pacific improved to 3-0 all-time against the Falcons.
 
Ralph, a WCC Preseason All-Conference Team selection, averages team-highs of 18.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He leads the WCC and ranks 12th in the country in minutes (35.5 mpg) and is shooting 14-of-33 (.424) from long range and 42-of-46 (.913) from the free throw line.
 
Cal is paced by Dai Dai Ames, who averages 19.0 points per game and shoots .514 from long range. Justin Pippen, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, averages 14.1 points per outing. The Golden Bears score 83.8 points per game as a team and shoot .381 from beyond-the-arc.
 
Pacific is going for its second straight win at Cal after pulling out an 87-79 victory in Berekely on Nov. 10, 2023. The Tigers were 13-of-26 from three-point range and held Cal to a 6-of-23 mark. It was Pacific's first win against the Golden Bears since Dec. 10, 1954.
 
The next home game is Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. against Simpson University at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The Tigers are 3-0 at home this season.
 
NOTES
- The initial NCAA NET rankings were released Monday and the Tigers were ranked No. 81, fourth-highest in the WCC behind No. 5 Gonzaga, No. 29 Saint Mary's and No. 32 Santa Clara. Cal was No. 52, and Pacific has an upcoming game at No. 13 BYU on Dec. 16.
 
- Pacific's winning-streak began in Daytona Beach, Florida when they Tigers won the GEICO Sunshine Slam Ocean Bracket. Pacific shut down Stony Brook 86-58 and Jacksonville 68-53. Ralph was named the MVP of the bracket. The tournament was Pacific's first-ever trip to the state of Florida as a program.
 
- Pacific followed it up with a 68-54 win over Sacramento State. Ralph netted 22 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Tigers never trailed in the second half.
 
- Pacific is 7-0 under Dave Smart in two seasons when holding the opposition to under 60 points.
 
- Senior Jaden Clayton ranks third in the WCC in assists (5.4 apg) and top-five in assist:turnover ratio (2.3). He's coming off a 13-point performance at Air Force, which matched his season-high.
 
- Senior TJ Wainwright averages in double-figures with 12.1 points per game and has hit at least one three-pointer in every contest. He netted 12 points Wednesday at Air Force.
 
- Pacific's two big men, seniors KC Ibekwe and Isaac Jack, are a combined 47-of-61 (.770) from the field and both shoot at least .750 from the floor individually.
 
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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