Heartbreak in Reno
Photo by Unsplash
Men’s Basketball Shows Early Season Promise in One-Point Loss
Pacific men’s basketball took on the University of Nevada this past Saturday in Reno in their first real test of the new season, after knocking off Life Pacific in their opener. Returning to the hardwood after a second-to-last finish in the West Coast Conference (WCC) with just four conference wins, the Tigers came into the game looking to establish themselves as legitimate factors in the WCC this year. Nevada, which had opened the season with a big win at Louisiana Tech, looked to re-establish itself after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, which saw them finish eighth in the Mountain West, a far cry from the days of the Martin twins and conference domination.
The new-look Tigers opened the game flat against the Wolfpack’s stifling defense, quickly falling to a double-digit deficit. A ¾-court press prevented Pacific from comfortably setting up its offense, and the squad was forced into low-percentage attempts late in the shot clock. Struggling to possess inside, the Tigers' offense stagnated, and relied heavily on the three-ball early in the game. Senior starting guard TJ Wainwright hit an early jumper and a big three to keep Pacific from going completely cold, but it seemed early on that Nevada was poised to run away with the game.
The Tigers, however, stuck to their guns and kept putting shots up, despite starting 2 for 9 from beyond the arc, eventually shooting themselves into a rhythm. With just under ten minutes remaining in the half, the boys from Stockton began to claw their way back into the game, outscoring Nevada 17-7 over a period of five minutes to even the game at 27. The stifling defense that Nevada had came out of the gates with began to break down as Pacific continued scoring, and defensive sloppiness turned into Tiger free throws late in the half. Pacific led by as much as four with a minute to go, but Nevada tied the game at 40 just before half.
A sleepy start to the second half saw both teams locked in a stalemate, with neither squad generating enough momentum to distance themselves from the other. A three by all-WCC pre-season selection, Elias Ralph would end a five-minute Pacific dry streak and would be the last of just four made field goals for the Tigers in the first ten minutes. Ralph’s shooting and playmaking were key for the Tigers in the second half, as he finished the game with six three-pointers, including multiple crowd-silencers to stamp out Nevada runs. Ralph picked up his fourth foul with just over five minutes remaining, however, putting the Tigers in a precarious position. Head coach Dave Smart would make the gutsy call to keep Ralph in the game despite his foul trouble, and Nevada took advantage, targeting him down low for an easy two. Despite the initial hit, the decision would prove to pay off in the waning minutes. Ralph’s presence on offense drew in defenders and opened up the floor for two big baskets inside, where Pacific had been struggling all night.
The squads remained deadlocked as the game wore on, trading baskets and defensive stands until an ill-timed Pacific scoring drought put Nevada up by 4 with under a minute left. The home crowd at the Lawlor Events Center pulsed as Pacific inbounded the ball for a critical offensive possession with 39 seconds to go, and a forced fadeaway three saw the Tigers come up empty after a valuable 13 seconds ticked off the clock. A made Nevada free throw put them up five, and on the proceeding offensive possession, Wainwright beat his defender downhill to get the Nevada big man off his feet in the restricted area, drawing the foul. After hitting two of two, Pacific quickly fouled the inbound pass, and with double bonus and 16 seconds left, Nevada looked like they would put the game to bed. However, just as it had done all night, the free-throw line kept the Tigers in the game, as the Nevada guard missed both attempts. The Tigers raced down the court after grabbing the board, needing just a three to tie the game. Nevada quickly set their defense, face guarding Pacific’s offensive threats and forcing Senior guard Jaden Clayton to pick up his dribble in a less-than-advantageous spot. Out of options at the three-point line, Clayton dumped it off to big man Isaac Jack for the contested two.
With just five seconds remaining and Nevada inbounding the ball, Clayton and guard Kajus Kublickas combined for a clutch defensive play, stripping the Nevada guard near the corner. Clayton came up with the loose ball, turning immediately and driving into the mess of bodies down low for a contested layup. The ball bounced off the side rim, but freshman forward Jaion Pitt came up with the offensive rebound, putting the ball back up just before time expired. As the buzzer sounded, the ball bounced off the backboard and onto the rim, hanging suspended in the air above the net before bouncing on the rim yet again. As it fell off to the side for the final time that night, the look of shock was palpable across the faces of every player, coach, and manager on that court. The Nevada side did not even have the heart to celebrate. They knew that they had given the game away, and it was a stroke of luck that had kept them undefeated. However, for the team that had shot better from three than from inside, the night ended in a fashion consistent with the rest of the game. Pacific’s outside shooting had been brilliant, but their struggles closer to the basket had kept them from pulling away, and in the end, it was an appropriate, albeit heartbreaking, end to a thrilling game.
This early-season test should instill confidence in Tiger basketball fans for the rest of the season. Pacific showcased their offensive capabilities, shooting lights out against a high-powered Nevada defense, and played exciting basketball once they settled into their game. Nevada exposed some of the squad’s weaknesses, including allowing 18 offensive rebounds, but there is a long road ahead before they begin WCC play, and plenty of time to iron out the wrinkles. As the Tigers gear up for the Sunshine Slam starting November 20th in Florida, tune in. Pacific men’s basketball just might be back.