Key Highlights
- Pacific (17-10, 8-6 WCC) will face Saint Mary’s (22-4, 11-2 WCC) on February 13, 2026.
- The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN2 and heard on Fox Sports AM 1280.
- Pacific ranks 12th in the nation with a +9.7 rebounding margin, while Saint Mary’s leads the WCC with a +11.2 mark.
- The Tigers are coming off a 65-59 win over LMU.
Setting the Stage: Pacific vs. Saint Mary’s in the WCC Spotlight
The stage is set for an electrifying clash between the Pacific Tigers and the Saint Mary’s Gaels, scheduled to tip off on February 13, 2026, at the Alex G. Spanos Center. This matchup promises to be a showcase of basketball prowess, with ESPN2 broadcasting the action live.
Pacific (17-10, 8-6 WCC) has been an unexpected force this season, particularly in rebounding.
The Tigers have outrebounded all 14 conference opponents and rank 12th nationally with a +9.7 rebounding margin. Saint Mary’s (22-4, 11-2 WCC), on the other hand, is a juggernaut, leading the West Coast Conference in this category with a +11.2 mark.
Recent Performance and Key Players
The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought 65-59 win over LMU. In that game, senior Elias Ralph paved the way with 22 points and seven rebounds, showcasing his offensive prowess while anchoring the defense. Ralph, a WCC Preseason All-Conference Team selection, leads the team in both scoring (16.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg).
His contributions are crucial as Pacific aims to maintain its strong standing.
In two seasons at Pacific, Ralph has scored 937 points and recorded 17 double-doubles, cementing his status as a key player for the Tigers. Senior TJ Wainwright averages in double-figures with 13.9 points per game and is shooting .396 from long range and .924 from the free throw line. His season-high of 27 points against Pepperdine highlights his potential to turn any game.
Seniors Isaac Jack and Jaden Clayton are also key contributors, with Jack leading the team in field goal percentage at a remarkable .691.
Clayton ranks 21st nationally and second in the WCC with 6.1 assists per game. These veterans form the backbone of Pacific’s success.
Challenges Ahead for the Tigers
The Gaels, led by Paulius Murauskas (18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg), pose a significant challenge. Saint Mary’s ranks second in the nation in free throw percentage at .806 and boasts only two conference losses. The Tigers will need to match their intensity and teamwork if they are to overcome this formidable opponent.
Pacific has clinched its first winning season since 2019-20, doubling its conference win total from the previous year.
The victory over LMU was a crucial boost as the Tigers aim for their first win over Saint Mary’s since January 4, 2020. With home court advantage and key performances by Ralph and Wainwright, Pacific sees this as an opportunity to make history.
The stakes are high, with the winner earning one of the top seeds in the upcoming conference tournament on March 7. The Tigers are determined to write a new chapter in their basketball narrative, starting with this critical game against the Gaels.