The Pacific Tigers lost to the UNLV Rebels 72:65 in a close showdown

The Pacific men’s basketball team narrowly lost to UNLV, finishing with a score of 72-65. After a four-point lead in the second half, Pacific was unable to maintain its momentum as UNLV capitalized on late three-pointers and free throws to secure the win. Senior Elias Ralph led the Tigers with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while UNLV’s Julian Rishwain led all scorers with 21 points. The game, part of the Jack Jones Classic, was the first meeting between these teams since 2019.

Through the numbers

• Pacific outrebounded UNLV 39-37 and had a 34-28 lead.
• The Tigers shot 4 of 21 (.190) from three-point range while UNLV shot 8 of 18 (.444).

Yes but

Despite a strong start, Pacific struggled with UNLV’s defensive adjustments and hot shooting, making it clear they needed a more consistent perimeter game.

state of affairs

• Pacific’s record now stands at 5-7 after this loss.
• The team is preparing for its first home game in nearly three weeks against Portland State.

What’s next?

The Tigers face Portland State at home on Wednesday, which will be a crucial opportunity for them to bounce back from the tough loss.

Conclusion

For Pacific to improve, they will need to improve their shooting accuracy, especially from distance, and maintain defensive pressure throughout the game.