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With the conclusion of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, sky casino genting women’s basketball seniors Anaya James ’25 and Elizabeth Elliott ’25 and graduate Liz Smith ’24 cemented their legacies as three of the best Tigers to ever don the jerseys.

The trio was a part of a program that made back-to-back postseason appearances, including this past Friday when Pacific hosted New Mexico State at the Alex G. Spanos Center. It came after the Tigers won two games at the West Coast Conference Tournament March 7-9 in Las Vegas.

Smith is the program leader in free throws made and minutes played, James is the second Tiger to ever reach 500 career assists and Elliott is the most accurate shooter this century.

“They started off the season with a lot of responsibility and they handled that very well,” said Head Coach Bradley Davis. “Expectations can weigh on you sometimes, and especially when you’re getting them at such a young age, how you handle those expectations really shows your true character and I think all three have handled expectations remarkably well. They are impressive in that.”

In the national invitation tournament game against the Aggies, both Elliott and James reached double figures to lead the Tigers offensively. Elliott, a sociology major, recorded 16 points and six rebounds, while James, a psychology major, tallied 11 points and four assists.

Smith, for all the accolades accrued, wins notched and records set, will remember the off-the-court moments most and the comradery that sports bring.

“I think the little things like team dinners, hanging out with the girls with the dorms, walking around campus, and just growing up is the main thing. We all come in as freshman not knowing who we are or what we’re going to be, and we leave pretty sure of yourself. All the times that built me up into the woman I am now is what I’ll remember most,” said Smith, a communication major.

As for her reflection on the past four seasons, Elliott thought about how her path was paved by the players that came before her and how she believes this group of seniors has left the program better than they inherited it.

“But all credit to all the people were here before us and really built the culture of how Pacific athletics and women’s basketball wants to be. We tried to embody them, and hopefully we pass that on to our teammates so that next year they continue to do the same,” Elliott said.

When the record book is updated over the offseason, the trio will be heavily featured for their career marks as top-10 scorers, three-point shooters, assisters, games played and started leaders, minutes played, rebounders and top-10 in racking up steals.

As a trio, they won 55 games together in their four years, improving from six wins during Smith and Elliott’s freshmen year in 2021-22 to three straight 15-plus win seasons and 19 wins in 2023-24.