Pepperdine University
USC
Unbeaten Trojans Send Waves to Defeat
12/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LOS ANGELES -- The short-handed Pepperdine men's basketball team had hopes of knocking USC out of the ranks of the nation's unbeaten programs, but the Trojans were unstoppable in a 93-67 victory at the Galen Center on Sunday night.
The Trojans (9-0) are one of just seven Division I teams yet to be beaten and will probably be ranked in the top 25 soon. The Waves fell to 4-6 after their second of six consecutive road games.
Senior guard Jeremy Major (Pasadena, Calif./Maranatha HS) is now just seven points away from becoming Pepperdine's 41st player with 1,000 career points after scoring a team-high 19 points. Senior forward Chris Reyes (La Verne, Calif./Damien HS/Utah) had his fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds and senior guard Lamond Murray Jr. (Los Angeles, Calif./Bishop Montgomery HS) scored 11.
USC became the Waves' fifth opponent this season to make at least 10 three-pointers, connecting on 12 of 23 attempts (52.2%). Elijah Stewart had seven of them en route to a game-high 26 points.
Pepperdine had a good game shooting from distance, making eight of 19 (42.1%). Trying to go to the basket against USC's size and athleticism turned out to be a challenge, as the Trojans blocked 14 shots -- a USC school record and tied for the second-most in Pepperdine single-game history by an opponent.
Overall, the Trojans outshot the Waves 56.6% to 38.2%. Pepperdine had a 37-34 rebounding edge thanks to 17 offensive boards, but couldn't put them to much of an advantage with only 11 second-chance points. USC also outscored Pepperdine 21 to seven at the free throw line.
"We've got our final exams now, and we've got to take time to clear our heads," Pepperdine Coach Marty Wilson said. "We have to see what we're not doing. We're in a funk right now. Each of our players can do more. We have to do a better job of competing defensively."
The Waves won the opening tip and took a 2-0 lead on a Reyes basket on the game's opening possession, but the Trojans then ripped off 11 straight points. USC didn't have another big run the rest of the half, but steadily added to its lead and eventually went up by 20 at 47-27 before going into the break with a 48-30 advantage. The lead grew to as many as 35 points in the second half at 77-42.
Freshman guard Knox Hellums (Tomball, Texas/Concordia Lutheran HS) added nine points. Senior guard Jonathan Allen (Nashville, Calif./Ravenwood HS) made his first career start and had career highs of four rebounds and 19 minutes played.
The Waves played their third game since losing senior starting point guard Amadi Udenyi (Oakland, Calif./De La Salle HS) for the season to a torn Achilles tendon. Sophomore forward Kameron Edwards (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Etiwanda HS) is also out with a fractured jaw, meaning the Waves are without two expected starters.
Pepperdine is in a stretch of six straight games on the road and won't be home again until January 5. After a week off for finals, the Waves next visit Louisiana (Tuesday, Dec. 20) and Montana (Thursday, Dec. 22). Fans can listen to both games via WaveCasts at PepperdineWaves.com with Al Epstein on the call.
