Pacific secured a 77-70 win over San Diego at the Alex G. Spanos Center, driven by a standout performance from TJ Wainwright. The junior forward recorded 25 points and 10 rebounds, pacing the Tigers to a 7-point victory. Wainwright's double-double was complemented by strong showings from Isaac Jack and Justin Rochelin, who added 16 and 14 points, respectively, to help Pacific improve its record to 14-8.
San Diego, now 9-13, was led by Ty-Laur Johnson's impressive all-around effort. Johnson tallied 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of Pacific. The Toreros jumped out to a 34-24 lead at halftime, but the Tigers responded with a strong second half, outscoring San Diego 53-36 to take control of the game.
Pacific's second-half surge was fueled by Wainwright, who scored 15 of his 25 points after the break. The Tigers also received a boost from their bench, which outscored San Diego's reserves 15-5. Justin Rochelin's 13 rebounds, including 7 on the offensive glass, helped Pacific dominate the boards, 43-36.
While the win was not an upset, given Pacific's higher net ranking, it was an important result for the Tigers' resume. As a Quadrant 4 game, the victory helps to bolster Pacific's tournament chances, even if it doesn't significantly enhance their profile. For San Diego, the loss was a Quadrant 2 defeat, which could have implications for their own postseason hopes, albeit slim.
The Toreros' Ty-Laur Johnson was a bright spot, demonstrating his ability to stuff the stat sheet. His 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists made him a difficult matchup for the Pacific defense. Adrian McIntyre added 11 points and 7 rebounds for San Diego, but the team's inability to slow down Wainwright and the Tigers' offense ultimately proved costly.
As the season enters its critical stretch, Pacific's win over San Diego serves as a reflection of the Tigers' resilience and depth. With Wainwright, Jack, and Rochelin forming a formidable core, Pacific has the potential to make a push in their conference standings. For now, the Tigers can celebrate a hard-fought win, one that strengthens their tournament resume, even if only marginally. The victory keeps Pacific on track, but they must continue to perform well in their upcoming games to solidify their position.