In a heart-pounding showdown at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the Pacific men’s basketball team showcased grit, resilience, and a flair for dramatic defense as they edged out Seattle University 61-58 in the third round of the Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Championship. With the win on March 7, 2026, Pacific, the tournament’s sixth seed, advanced to the quarterfinals, setting up a Sunday night clash against third-seeded Santa Clara, with national eyes tuning in via ESPN2.
Few could have predicted such a nail-biter after the Tigers found themselves staring at a daunting 28-16 deficit with just over six minutes left in the first half. The Redhawks, led by Jun Seok Yeo’s hot hand and Will Heimbrodt’s interior dominance, threatened to run away with it early. But Pacific, true to the culture instilled by head coach Dave Smart, refused to wilt. Instead, the Tigers pieced together a stunning 16-1 run to close the half, flipping the script and heading to the locker room up 32-29.
“It’s way better than the feeling last year at this time,” Coach Smart reflected in the postgame press conference, referencing last season’s early tournament exit. “Seattle’s so well coached because he [Chris Victor] does such a good job, and they basically play the same way we play. They defend really well. They have a plan they stay with and they’re physical. They’ve got a lot of tough guys, and I think we have a decent amount of tough guys too.”
Pacific’s comeback was fueled by timely contributions off the bench and a relentless effort on the glass. Junior Kajus Kublickas was instrumental during the first-half rally, scoring six of his nine points in the Tigers’ pivotal 11-0 run. Alexis Marmolejos chipped in seven points, including a fast-break bucket that capped the first half and gave Pacific its first lead of the night. The Tigers’ bench ultimately outscored Seattle’s reserves 24-9, a testament to their depth and determination.
Senior Elias Ralph, recently named to the All-Conference First Team, once again proved why he’s the heartbeat of this Pacific squad. Ralph tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and a pair of steals. But it was his defense in the dying moments that sealed the win. With Pacific clinging to a 60-58 advantage and just 10 seconds on the clock, Ralph blocked a Redhawks’ driving lay-up, preserving the lead. “I was just trying to be fundamental,” Ralph explained. “I knew the clock was winding down, so I wanted to force him to his weak hand and contest the shot. I got a piece of it.”
After being fouled, Pacific made one of two free throws, giving Seattle a glimmer of hope. The Redhawks scrambled for a tying three, but the Tigers’ defense, as it had all night, stood tall. Senior Justin Rochelin, who pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds to go with seven points, corralled the final board, and the celebration was on.
Pacific’s rebounding prowess has been a hallmark all season. Entering the contest ranked 11th in the nation in rebounding margin, the Tigers once again flexed their muscle on the boards, outrebounding Seattle 40-34. Rochelin, in particular, was a force, notching his fifth double-digit rebounding game of the year. His three-point shooting was also on display, as he hit 2-of-3 from deep, continuing his hot streak from conference play.
Seattle was not without its heroes. Jun Seok Yeo led all scorers with 16 points and added seven rebounds, while Brayden Maldonado contributed 13 points, including a clutch three-pointer that narrowed the gap to 60-58 with 1:30 left. Will Heimbrodt, one of the nation’s premier shot-blockers, swatted away four shots, scored 12 points, and grabbed six rebounds, making life difficult for Pacific’s big men.
Still, the Tigers’ collective toughness and togetherness proved decisive. “When we took the job, our president and athletic director said they wanted to take basketball seriously and do it the right way with the right culture,” Coach Smart said. “We recruited very differently. We made it very clear: this is how we’re going to work. We want like-minded people who want to be in the gym and want to get better. A lot of these guys want to do more work than I’d even ask them to do.”
Senior Jaden Clayton also etched his name in the Pacific record books, dishing out six assists to bring his season total to 201—a new school record. Clayton, who now boasts 1,005 career points across four Division I seasons, has been the engine of Pacific’s offense, ranking top-20 nationally with 6.3 assists per game. His leadership and poise were evident as he helped orchestrate the Tigers’ late-game execution.
TJ Wainwright, an All-Conference Honorable Mention, continued his sharpshooting ways, knocking down 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and raising his season long-range percentage to an impressive .398. His timely threes helped Pacific stretch the lead in the second half and keep Seattle at bay during their late surge.
Pacific’s win was not only a testament to their growth under Coach Smart but also marked several milestones. The Tigers posted their first conference tournament victory since the 2022-23 season and improved to 3-0 on neutral courts this year, having previously claimed the GEICO Sunshine Slam Ocean Bracket in Daytona Beach, Florida. Pacific has now doubled both its overall and conference win totals from last season, a remarkable turnaround that speaks volumes about the program’s trajectory.
For Ralph, the victory was particularly sweet. “It’s a really special feeling seeing how last year ended—getting bounced in the first round—and now getting one under our belt in the tournament,” he said. Looking ahead to the quarterfinal matchup, Ralph emphasized the importance of a full 40-minute effort: “It just comes down to our defense. Both times we played them [Santa Clara] it was close at halftime, but we lost it defensively in the second half. We have to put 40 minutes of solid defense together.”
Bench dynamo Kajus Kublickas echoed that sentiment, crediting his teammates’ resolve: “I was trying to do whatever I need to do for my team. No matter how many points we’re down, we still got to play. I’m really proud of our guys that we stayed in the game.”
With the win, Pacific advances to the WCC Quarterfinals for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The Tigers will look to win two games in the same conference tournament for the first time since 2012-13, back when they were members of the Big West. The stakes are higher, the lights are brighter, and the Tigers are brimming with confidence.
Fans won’t want to miss Sunday’s showdown against Santa Clara, set for 8 p.m. on ESPN2. If Pacific’s latest performance is any indication, expect another battle decided by heart, hustle, and—just maybe—a little March magic.