PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing without two of its injured starters, the Pepperdine women's basketball team lost its second conference game of the season to University of Portland 60-56, Saturday at Chiles Center in Portland, Ore.

 

For the first seven minutes of the game, the Waves (5-10, 0-2) and the Pilots (11-6, 1-1) traded baskets with the score tied three times. Pepperdine struggled with its shooting as Portland went on a six point scoring run to take a seven point lead at with 9:20 remaining in the first half. The Waves were able to close the gap at by five points after a three pointer by Junior Taylor Smith (Waialua, Hawaii / Kalaheo HS).

 

The Waves averaged 28% to the Pilots 44% on field goals. Senior Teiosha George (Palmdale, Calif. / Palmdale HS) had 12 rebounds and seven points when the half ended with the Pilots leading 32-55.

 

Free shots and an aggressive Pilot offense widened the lead by 13 points in the first three minutes of the second half (40-27).

 

With 13:59 left on the clock, Pepperdine launched a 13 point scoring run to tie the game 44-44. Senior Daphanie Kennedy’s (Oakland, Calif. / Kearney HS) jumper gave the Waves the lead for the first time since early in the first half. The Pilot’s responded with a drive of its own, scoring six points to take back the lead 49-48.

 

Portland extended the lead by five with five minutes left in the game (53-48). Sophomore Miranda Ayim (London, Ontario, Canada) shot two free shots and scored two baskets to bring the Waves within two points of the Pilots (56-54) with three minutes left on the clock. Pepperdine called a time out with 22 seconds left in the game and the Pilots leading, 58-56. The Waves came back possession of the ball, however a missed lay-up by Kennedy and a foul called on Pepperdine, gave Portland a four point lead when the clock ran out.

 

The Waves are home on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Firestone Fieldhouse to meet St. Mary’s at 7 p.m.