Pepperdine University
San Diego
Waves' Defense Smothers San Diego in 57-40 Win
2/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MALIBU, Calif. - The Pepperdine women's basketball team had its best defensive game of the season on Saturday, clamping down on San Diego to hold the Toreros to just 12 field goals and 19% shooting in a convincing 57-40 win.
Yasmine Robinson-Bacote led the charge offensively, posting 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Waves move to 7-18 overall and 5-9 in West Coast Conference play with the victory. San Diego falls to 11-13, 5-9 WCC. The win gives the Waves a season sweep of the Toreros for the first time since 2011.
"We have matched up pretty well with them this season," said Pepperdine Head Coach Ryan Weisenberg. "We did a really good job today of keeping them out of the paint and forcing them into long shots. That was the game plan going in and the girls did a great job executing today."
Even when San Diego did get inside, the Waves came away with eight blocks in the game, their second highest total of the season. The 40 points, 12 field goals and 19% shooting Pepperdine held the Toreros to were all season-bests for the Waves defensively.
Robinson-Bacote's double-double was her 10th of the season, making her the ninth Wave and first since 2001 to record 10 such stat lines in a single season.
"Yas came in today and was really focused and ready to go," said Weisenberg. "She's been doing that pretty much all season. Today what I really loved was that she was aggressive in the paint and on the boards. I love her growth and development this season and when she's focused, she's hard to stop."
The Waves held San Diego scoreless for the first 6:20 of the game, jumping out to a 9-0 lead. The Toreros would hit just two field goals in the first quarter, as Pepperdine led 14-5 after 10 minutes of play. San Diego reversed the trend, opening the second quarter on an 8-4 run through the first five minutes, but the Waves still held the Toreros to just two field goals in the second quarter. San Diego made 10 free throws to keep it close, though, and make it a 26-19 Pepperdine lead at the half.
Pepperdine held the Toreros scoreless for a five-minute stretch in the third quarter as well, building a 39-27 lead heading to the fourth. The Waves hit 3-of-6 threes in the third quarter and outscored San Diego 13-8 in the period. Pepperdine would extend its lead in the fourth, going up by as much as 21 late in the game. Only a last-second three by the Toreros made the 17-point final margin. Pepperdine scored a game-high 18 points in the final 10 minutes.
Despite giving up 20 offensive rebounds, the Waves won the battle on the glass, 48-41. Pepperdine also scored 20 points in the paint.
Allie Green added 11 points on the day and Sydney Bordonaro scored nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from three. The Waves shot 41.3% in the game and hit eight threes.
Pepperdine has two more home games next week, facing Santa Clara on Thursday and then hosting PCH Cup rival Loyola Marymount for senior day on Saturday. Both games can be seen live on TheW.tv.
