Jan. 12, 2005

MALIBU, Calif. -

Pepperdine vs. Portland Notes
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Having not played a home game since Dec. 21, the Pepperdine women's basketball team will play its only two home games in the month of January as it hosts Portland on Thursday night and Gonzaga Saturday night. The 7:00 p.m. tip against the `Zags will be televised live by Fox Sports Net.

Pepperdine is coming off a 1-1 showing on the first weekend of West Coast Conference (WCC) play and is now 5-10 on the season. The Waves have split their last eight contests after opening the year 1-6. Jennifer Lacy continues to lead the team as he has scored 20+ points in back-to-back contests heading into this weekend's action. Freshman Daphanie Kennedy has started to come on strong after starting both league contests last weekend. Against San Diego, the Oakland, Calif., native poured in a career-high 16 points and is second on the team in scoring in WCC action at 10.5 points a contest.

Portland (5-10, 0-2 WCC) is in the midst of a three-game skid and has not won a game in '05. The Pilots are led by Ashlee Orendorff's 13.5 points a contest, while Whitney Grant and Jamie Medley are both averaging 10.1 a game. Pepperdine holds a 24-13 advantage in the all-time series, including a 14-3 lead in Firestone Fieldhouse.

Gonzaga sits atop the WCC with a 2-0 league record and 13-2 overall. The only losses on the `Zags record are a 77-58 loss to Arizona State (12/4) and a 76-54 loss to New Mexico (11/27). Ashley Burke is leading the way for the Bulldogs at 13.2 points a contest, while Shannon Mathews comes in at just under 10 at 9.9. The Waves hold a commanding 26-12 advantage in the all-time series, but Gonzaga has claimed two of the last three meetings including knocking Pepperdine out of the WCC tournament a year ago.

Both games will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. (PT) and will be the only two home contests for the Waves this month as they return to the road for the final three tilts of the month.