MALIBU, Calif. – Fresh off one of the two off dates for Pacific during conference play, the team puts its six-game winning streak against Pepperdine on the line Thursday before coming home to face LMU on Saturday looking to take a third straight in the series history.

The Tigers' (7-9, 2-3) defense highlighted last season's matchups with both Pepperdine (10-7, 1-4 WCC) and LMU (9-7, 3-2 WCC). Against the Waves, Pacific clamped down defensively to allow fewer than 45 points in both matchups and held the Waves to under 33% shooting in both as well. Senior Sydney Ward was a major component of that success, averaging 8.5 rebounds between the two meetings.

Offensively, sophomore Daria Nestorov is the only returning Tiger to have scored in double figures last year versus Pepperdine. Halfway through year two the sophomore has more than doubled her scoring average per game from last season while also emerging as one of the premier facilitators in the country. With 77 assists through 16 contests, she ranks 55th in the country, which if she can maintain this clip through the end of the season would be the third straight season Pacific has produced a top-60 facilitator in the country. Within the program, Nestorov is on pace to finish the season with 144 assists, ranking her 15th in single season history.

Focusing back on Pepperdine, Head Coach Bradley Davis is 17-6 all-time to help Pacific to a 21-10 advantage. A Tigers win would break the 7-7 tie playing in Malibu.

LMU had similar problems scoring against the Tigers last season, getting twice held under 55 points – marking the first time in series history either team has failed to reach 60 points in consecutive games. Once again Nestorov is the only returning Tiger to reach double figure scoring last season, but this season that could be sophomore Winner Bartholomew.

The Abuja, Nigeria native is coming off 19-points against Saint Mary's, her second-best scoring outing of the season. She currently leads the squad scoring averaging 12.9 points per game this season.
In the series history, Pacific has controlled it of late winning five of the last six meetings and won the last three taking place at the Spanos Center. A Tigers win on Saturday would knot the all-time series history at seven wins each in Stockton and extend Pacific's total series lead to 14-12.

Tipoff from Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu on Thursday is set for 6 p.m. while Saturday's game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff, both games will be broadcast on ESPN+.

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 Women's Basketball, be sure to follow the team on X (@Pacific_Hoops), Instagram (@pacificwbb) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Women's Basketball).

#PacificProud