Final Stats

Box Score

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Keitra Wallace set a new career-high with 25 points to lead the Pepperdine women's basketball team to a 66-63 win on the road over Northern Arizona.

The Waves had to rally after an early second-half run by the Lumberjacks, responding with a 12-0 stint to take back the lead. Pepperdine then got a big 3-pointer from Bria Richardson and late free throws by Wallace to seal the victory.

"We did a good job today overcoming the little runs they threw at us and keeping our composure in a fun environment," said head coach Ryan Weisenberg, whose team moves to 5-5 on the year. "It was a balanced game for us, both offensively and defensively, and in the second half I thought we did a better job on the boards which helped us turn around the deficit."

The Waves led 32-29 at the break, but NAU came out on a 10-0 run to grab a seven-point lead. Pepperdine responded, however, rattling off 12 straight points to retake the lead, 46-41 at the 10:28 mark. Richardson (Hawthorne, Calif./Serra HS) scored six of the 12 points, capping the run with a steal and fast-break layup.

The two teams played neck-and-neck down the stretch and with 2:25 to play, Pepperdine had a 60-55 lead. After NAU cut it to a three-point game, Richardson knocked down a three as the shot clock was expiring to put the Waves back up 64-58 with :44 seconds left. Brittani Lusain answered right back with a three for the home team and then Monique Mulder got a steal and layup to make it 64-63 with :10 seconds on the clock.

Wallace (Brea, Calif./Brea Olinda HS) was then fouled intentionally and with :08.8 remaining, she calmly knocked down both free throws to make it a three-point game. NAU couldn't find a good look in the remaining seconds as Erikka Banks' last-second heave went long.

"There were a couple spots where we almost gave it away, but the girls hung tough and made the plays when we needed them," said Weisenberg. "I thought Keitra was excellent today, not just on the offensive side, but defensively as well."

Wallace's 25 points eclipsed her previous career-best of 24 set last season against Cal Poly. Richardson filled out the stat sheet with 13 points, five assists and three steals. The Waves had 12 assists in the game to just eight turnovers. The eight giveaways were a season-best for Pepperdine.

Banks led the Lumberjacks with 19 points. Raven Anderson had 13 points and 12 rebounds. NAU shot 45.8 percent and scored 38 points in the paint, but hit just 2-of-18 threes to fall to 4-5 with the loss.

The Waves will be back in action on Friday when they host Albany for their final non-conference game of the season.