MALIBU, California – Four players scored in double-figures to help the Pepperdine men's basketball team win its home opener, 65-60, over Idaho State on Friday night.
The Waves (1-1) led by 12 early, fell behind by one in the second half, went back up by 10 and settled for a five-point win over the Bengals (1-1).
BIG WAVES
- Senior guard Jade' Smith (Oakland, Calif./St. Joseph Notre Dame HS) had a game-high 17 points, just two off his career high. Twelve of his points came in the first half. He also had a game-high four assists to go with four rebounds.
- Junior forward Jan Zidek (Prague, Czech Republic) contributed 14 points.
- Graduate transfer forward Keith Fisher III (Los Angeles, Calif./Illinois State) earned his first double-double in a Pepperdine uniform with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Freshman guard Mike Mitchell Jr. (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty HS) had 10 points and five rebounds.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Waves got off to a great start, scoring the first six points and then taking a 15-3 lead just five minutes in. All five starters had already scored at that point. The 12-point lead turned out to be the biggest of the game. Idaho State cut the deficit to six at 19-13, though Pepperdine's lead stayed between six and 10 points the rest of the half. It was 33-27 at the break.
Idaho State would rally to take a pair of one-point leads at 40-39 and 42-41, but those would be the Bengals' only leads of the game. Freshman guard
Houston Mallette (Alameda, Calif./Pacifica Christian HS) and Zidek scored to make it 45-42, and then both scored again in a 6-0 run that made it 51-44 with eight minutes to play. The lead swelled to 10 at 59-49 with 3 1/2 minutes to go after a Fisher free throw. Fisher scored seven of the Waves' final nine points and Pepperdine held off a last-minute Bengal rally.
KEY STATS
- The Waves narrowly outshot the Bengals 41.1% to 40.0%.
- Pepperdine led for 37:24 of the contest; Idaho State led for just 1:46.
- The Waves forced 19 turnovers while committing 15.
- Idaho State was led by Tarik Cool's 13 points.
NOTABLES
- Pepperdine is a perfect 7-0 all-time against Idaho State.
- The Waves won their 11th consecutive home opener.
UP NEXT
Pepperdine hosts Utah Valley on Monday (Nov. 15) at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on the WCC Network. Ticket information and COVID-19 entry policies for Firestone Fieldhouse
can be found here.