LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Following the lead of a victorious Pepperdine men’s team, the women’s team defeated cross-town rivals Loyola Marymount, 60-49, at Gersten Pavilion, in Los Angeles, Calif.

 

The first half began with Pepperdine (8-17, 3-9) and LMU (14-13, 6-6) trading baskets for the first nine minutes of the game. The Waves surged ahead after making six-of-six free throws. With 9:34 left in the half, Pepperdine was leading,19-16.

 

Alisha Bryant ( Pacoima,  Calif. / Chatsworth HS) was responsible for eight points in the first ten minutes of the game. However, an eight point scoring run by the Lions, ending with :42 left in the first half, saw LMU take the lead, 29-26. Daphanie Kennedy (Oakland, Calif. / Kearney HS) responded with a two point field goal to bring Pepperdine within a point at the end of the half, 29-28.

 

The second half got underway with a three point basket by LMU’s Lisa Helmers, to put the Lions at 32-28. Kennedy responded with a three pointer of her own, to bring the Waves back to a one point deficit, 32-31. Baskets were traded, Bryant gave the lead back to the Waves after making a two point field goal 35-34. Katie Menton (Coarsegold, Calif. / Yosemite HS) came into the game and made a shot from beyond the arc, opening up the lead for the Waves, 38-34.

 

A controversial intentional foul called on Bryant gave the Lions a point from a free shot, followed by another foul called on Kennedy to bring the score to 38-36.

 

Teiosha George (Palmdale, Calif. / Palmdale HS) made a lay-up followed by two free shots, 42-36 to give the Waves it’s largest lead of the game, with 13:20 left in the game.

 

A six point scoring run by LMU, ending with 10:58 left in the half, tied the game 42-42. Menton made a three pointer, then followed-up with two free throws, giving Pepperdine back the lead 45-42.

 

The Waves went on an eight point scoring run of their own to increase the lead to 51-42, with 6:43 remaining in the game.

 

With 4:57 left, Kennedy made a jump shot and a free shot, to give Pepperdine a 12 point lead, 56-54.

 

The Waves appeared unstoppable with 1:58 left in the game and a lay-up shot by Kennedy to make the score 58-45.  A three pointer by LMU closed the gap by nine, 58-47. Shannon Johnson (Highland Village, TX. / Marcus HS) made two free shots for the final Pepperdine points.

 

Pepperdine finished the game with a 40% field goal average to LMU’s 29%. The Waves made 14-of-15 free throws. Kennedy was the game high scorer with 18 points and nine rebounds.

 

The Waves return to Malibu to play University of San Diego, Thurs., Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.