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University of the Pacific

Jaden Clayton

Tigers Begin Back Half of WCC Schedule Wednesday against Portland on Dignity Health Night

STOCKTON, Calif. – At the midway point of West Coast Conference play, the Pacific men's basketball program will tip a 7 p.m. game Wednesday against Portland on Dignity Health Night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
The first 100 students will receive free pizza, and the first 500 attendees will receive Dignity Health water bottles and clear bags. Additionally, lucky seat winners will take home an autographed Joe Montana Mini helmet, an autographed George Kittle jersey, an autographed Patrick Willis football and an autographed CMC full sized helmet. The lucky seat winners will be announced at media timeouts.
 
The Tigers (14-8, 5-4 WCC) are 9-0 at home this season. They are coming off a 56-54 victory Saturday over Seattle in the first meeting between the two teams in 42 years. Pacific built a 15-point halftime lead and withstood a late surge to hang on with a defensive stop in the closing seconds.
 
Pacific is looking to avenge a heartbreaking 90-89 overtime loss in the first meeting against Portland (10-12, 3-6 WCC) on the road. The Tigers led 86-81 in overtime when the Pilots hit a three-pointer on each of their last three possessions to finish on top. The final blow was a three from the left corner by Matus Hronsky with 3.0 seconds which was the deciding bucket for Portland. Senior Justin Rochelin turned in a career night with 20 points and eight rebounds.
 
Senior Elias Ralph, a WCC Preseason All-Conference Team selection, leads the team in both scoring (16.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg). He has six double-doubles on the year and 16 in two seasons at Pacific. Ralph ranks top-five in the WCC in minutes and rebounding
 
Senior TJ Wainwright averages in double-figures with 13.4 points per game and has hit a three-pointer in 21 of 22 games this season. Wainwright is shooting .450 from long range in conference.
 
Senior Jaden Clayton ranks 27th in the country and second in the WCC in assists with 6.1 per game.
 
In conference games, Rochelin is averaging 12.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and is shooting .423 from long range. He's recorded six consecutive double-figure scoring games.
 
The Pilots are looking to shake-off a close 75-69 defeat to Saint Mary's after beating LMU 71-58 on the road. Joel Foxwell leads the team with 15.1 points per game and netted 27 in the first meeting against the Tigers.
 
Wednesday's game can be watched on ESPN+ with Zack Bayrouty and Kat Tudor on the call, and can be heard live for free on Fox Sports AM 1280 with Dennis Ackerman as the voice.
 
NOTES
- The Tigers are 29-20 all-time against Portland and 19-6 at home.
 
- Pacific is 9-0 (4-0 WCC) at home this season, 818-462 all-time at home and 355-229 in the Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
- The Tigers have outrebounded all nine conference opponents this season. Pacific ranks top-10 in the nation in rebounding margin with a +9.8 clip.
 
- Pacific has surpassed its overall win total by five games and its conference win total by a game from last season. It's the second year in a row under head coach Dave Smart that the Tigers have increased their win total from the year prior.

- In the current NCAA NET Rankings, the Tigers are No. 110 out of 365, while the Pilots are No. 208. The WCC has six teams in the top-121 with Gonzaga atop at No. 4. Since the NCAA NET Rankings came out in 2019-20, Pacific's highest ever finish was No. 110 in 2019-20.
 
- Pacific ranks top-50 in the country in free throw percentage with a .762 mark.
 
- The Tigers are 9-0 this year when they have more fast break points. Pacific is 11-1 when leading at half, 9-1 when holding the opposition under .333 from three-point range and 8-1 when it scores at least 80 points.
 
- Pacific is 10-0 under Dave Smart in two seasons when holding the opposition to under 60 points and 7-0 this year.
 
- Four different Tigers have recorded a double-double in a game this year including seniors Isaac Jack, Ralph, Rochelin, and Wainwright.
 
- Pacific has only used two starting lineups this season. Clayton and junior Kajus Kublickas have flipped back-and-forth at the point guard position.
 
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).
 
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