Nov. 29, 2003

Final Stats

MALIBU, Calif. -- For the second time in as many weeks, the Pepperdine Waves women's basketball team allowed a Top 25 opponent to score over 50 points in the paint and tonight's championship match-up versus No. 19 Oklahoma was no different. The Sooners out-scored the Waves 52-28 inside the lane and ousted the home team 95-77 at the 2003 Yellowbook Turkey Shoot-out.

With the win, Oklahoma improves to a perfect 4-0 on the season as Pepperdine falls to 2-2 overall.

The Waves, sparked by Kelli Spencer's 22 points including five 3-pointers, relied on hot perimeter shooting (12-16) to keep in reach with the Sooners with 11:22 remaining in the game. However, the Sooners--led by offensive threats Caton Hill and Maria Villarroel--went on a 21-3 run with 5:05 left. Pepperdine attempted to get back in the game but OU's scrappy half-court pressure defense forced too many turnovers and Oklahoma kept its winning streak alive.

Pepperdine and Oklahoma accounted for almost identical statistics across the board. However, the difference in the game was found at the foul line as the Sooners recorded an 85.0 percent (23-27) free-throw shooting percentage against the Waves.

Pepperdine's bench out-scored the Sooners 40-21 beginning with junior Jennifer Lacy and Shannon Mayberry's 16 and 10 points, respectively. Pepperdine shot 47.6 percent from the field (30-63) and Oklahoma connected on 33-of-56 baskets for 58.9 percent.

For their efforts, Shanell Law and Kelli Spencer garnered all-tournament accolodes for the Waves. Oklahoma's Beky Preston was named tournament MVP and Dionnah Jackson earned all-tournament for OU.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for Pepperdine as No. 1 Connecticut travels to Malibu on Friday to face the Waves.