Pepperdine University
Nevada
Thompson's 34 Points Leads Waves Over Nevada, 76-75
11/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2010
Pepperdine-Nevada Box Score 
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Senior forward Mychel Thompson willed Pepperdine to victory on Tuesday night, scoring a career-high 34 points and hitting the go-ahead jumper with one minute remaining to lead the Waves to a 76-75 win over Nevada in a Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off consolation game at Pauley Pavilion.
Thompson (Portland, Ore./Santa Margarita Catholic HS/Stoneridge Prep) had 19 points in the first half and 15 in the second. His final two points, a jump shot near the top of the key, put Pepperdine ahead 76-74. Nevada hit one free throw on its next possession, and the Waves turned the ball over with 10 seconds left, giving the Wolf Pack the last shot. But Nevada's one hurried attempt hit the side of the backboard, allowing the Waves to celebrate.
Pepperdine improved to 1-2 and won for the first time since January 16. The Wolf Pack, a 2010 postseason NIT participant, fell to 1-2.
"It felt amazing," said Thompson, a team co-captain. "I'm not concerned about how I played, I'm just glad that we won. It's been a while, but we kept fighting and came away with the win. I stayed aggressive and my shot was on tonight. If I keep doing that, I'll be effective."
Thompson's previous career high was 25 points on two occasions. He went 11-for-20 from the field, 3-for-7 on three-pointers and 9-for-11 from the free throw line. He also contributed four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
"Mychel really stepped up," Pepperdine Coach Tom Asbury said. "He made some huge plays. That's what Mychel can do for us as a senior. He's so athletic and when he plays with desire, he's good."
Junior guard Keion Bell (Los Angeles, Calif./Pasadena HS), hindered by a thumb injury suffered in Monday night's 79-69 loss to UCLA, scored 16 first-half points but was held scoreless in the second.
"Keion played hurt and wasn't able to shoot like usual, but he's a gamer," Asbury said. "He played hard and did some good things."
Those were the only two Waves to score in double-figures, but Asbury was also quick to credit senior forward Gus Clardy (Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches HS) for his hustle off the bench. He provided just two points but had a team-high five rebounds and was part of several key defensive stops.
"Gus was huge tonight as well," he said. "He made some huge hustle plays. He got things going by coming in and giving us a lift. He didn't play one minute last night, but that's how he is, he's always ready to play."
The first half had eight ties and eight lead changes. Both teams took five-point leads during the first 20 minutes, but it went into the break tied 46-46.
For the second straight night, the Waves struggled at the start of the second half. UCLA went on a 16-2 run after halftime, while Nevada had an 11-2 run to go up 57-48. The Wolf Pack would take a 10-point lead at 60-50, but junior guard Lorne Jackson (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley HS) played a big role in a 9-0 Pepperdine run to get it back to 60-59. He had the final five points with a fast-break lay-up and a three-pointer.
Nevada still led by five with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation, but Thompson converted a three-point play off an in-bounds pass from Jackson, and then after the Waves forced a turnover, Jackson fed senior forward Jonathan Dupre' (Houston, Texas/Collin County CC) for a lay-up on the fast break to tie the game at 74-74. The Waves would get just one more basket on Thompson's jumper, and that would be enough.
"We played hard, and down the stretch we played with a lot of poise," Asbury said. "Our experience showed, as did their lack of experience. Down the stretch we made some plays and they didn't, and that's probably because of our experience."
Pepperdine was outshot (50.0% to 43.1%) and outrebounded (35-34) but committed fewer turnovers (eight to 13) and had the advantage at the free throw line (19-for-27 to 8-for-15). The Waves had 17 points off turnovers to the Wolf Pack's five.
Pepperdine will have its home opener this Saturday (Nov. 20) at 7 p.m. in Firestone Fieldhouse against CSU Bakersfield. The Waves will play two more consolation games in the NIT next Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 22-23). Where Pepperdine will go and who they will play will be announced on Thursday (Nov. 18). Fans can listen to Al Epstein's call of all Pepperdine games for free via Wave Casts at www.pepperdinesports.com.
