MALIBU, Calif. -- Miranda Ayim scored 16 points and added six blocks and six rebounds to pace the Pepperdine women’s basketball team to a 68-46 exhibition win over NAIA opponent Westmont on Wednesday night at Firestone Fieldhouse.

 

Pepperdine shot 50% for the game and limited the Warriors to a 25.4% FG percentage. The Waves never trailed, as they led 32-19 at the half and expanded the lead to as many as 28 points in the second half, at 68-40. Pepperdine claimed a 50-34 rebounding edge, and scored 44 points in the paint, compared to 12 for Westmont.

 

Ayim (London, Ont., Canada/Saunders Secondary), who was 7-for-13 from the field, was one of three Waves to score in double figures, as Teena Wickett (Oakland, Calif./Castlemont HS) posted a double-double for the Waves with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Teiosha George (Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale HS) added 13 points and eight rebounds.

 

“I thought some players really stepped up despite the adversity,” said Pepperdine Coach Julie Rousseau, whose team was missing five injured players. “I think Miranda is showing a lot of confidence this year and Teiosha showed great leadership. It was a good win; the defense had a good effort in the second half. Westmont played hard and gave us a good game.”

 

“I felt like my summer experience playing with the Canadian team gave me tremendous confidence,” Ayim said. “Playing at that level has given me more confidence coming into this season.”

 

The Warriors were led by Annie Johnson, who scored 11 points and added four rebounds, and Jessica Case, who tallied 11 points, including three three-pointers.

 

The Waves will play their last exhibition game against Cal State Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. at Firestone Fieldhouse.