STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific men's basketball program took its first home defeat of the season Wednesday in a 71-56 decision to Santa Clara at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
The Tigers (15-10, 6-6 WCC) entered the game 10-0 at home before falling to a Santa Clara (20-5, 11-1 WCC) squad that is now tied for first-place in the league. The Broncos entered the game ranked No. 43 out 365 in the national NCAA NET rankings, while Pacific was No. 106.
Pacific outrebounded Santa Clara 39-33 and the shooting percentages were very similar, but the Broncos were able to force 17 turnovers compared to seven on the other end. It resulted in Santa Clara putting up 10 more shot attempts, including 19 more looks from long range. The Broncos entered the game ranked top-25 in the nation in turnovers forced per game.
Seniors
TJ Wainwright and
Justin Rochelin paved the way for the Tigers. Wainwright tallied 13 points and eight rebounds, while Rochelin submitted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Pacific relied on its starters for most of the way as senior
Elias Ralph recorded 11 points and senior
Isaac Jack 10 points. Though, the Broncos held a 26-5 edge in bench scoring including 12 points from Allen Graves.
The Tigers led for most of the first half. They were up 11-7 early after a bucket by Ralph and increased it to 21-16 at the 7:38 mark after a lay-in by Jack. Pacific's last lead was 22-21 with 4:48 to go after a free throw by freshman
Jaion Pitt.
The game was tied 24-24 when the Broncos scored six straight to take a 30-24 edge with under a minute left in the first half. Wainwright hit a buzzer beater on a runner from the left to make it 30-26 at the break.
Pacific trimmed it to 41-40 with 15:08 remaining in the second half after a field goal by Ralph. However, the Broncos answered with six straight to go up 49-42, and extended it to 59-49 with 9:03 left.
The closest the Tigers got the rest of the way was 59-53 after a lay-up by Pitt at the 7:46 mark, but Santa Clara was able to create separation down the stretch.
Up next, the Tigers will travel to Pepperdine for a 5 p.m. tip Saturday where they'll be going for the season sweep over the Waves. Pacific's next home game is Wednesday, Feb. 11 against LMU at 7 p.m.
NOTES
- Pacific is now 819-463 all-time at home and 356-230 in the Alex G. Spanos Center. Pacific was 10-0 at home for the first time since 1997-98.
- Despite the loss, Pacific's .909 winning percentage at home is its highest since 2004-05 when the team went 12-1 (.923).
- The Tigers have outrebounded all 12 conference opponents this season. Pacific entered the game ranked top-15 in the nation in rebounding margin.
- Rochelin turned in his third double-double of the season and second in the last three games. He's scored in double-figures in nine consecutive outings. Rochelin is now averaging 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in conference play while shooting a team-best .432 from three-point range.
- Wainwright registered his 55th career double-digit scoring outing, 19th this season and fourth in a row. He was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
- Ralph surpassed 900 career points in two years at Pacific and is up to 901. He etched his 109th career double-figure scoring game, 49th at Pacific and 21st this year. Ralph was 5-of-9 from the field.
- Jack netted his 19th career double-figure scoring outing, 12th this season and fourth in the last five games. He was 5-of-6 from the floor.
- Pacific has surpassed its overall win total by six games and its conference win total by two games 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.
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