MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine women's basketball team collected a 65-59 victory over Portland State on Saturday afternoon in Firestone Fieldhouse.
 
The Waves (3-5) shot 40% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc, besting the Vikings (4-3) in both categories as the opposition posted 33.8% from the field and 30% from long range. Pepperdine and Portland State were tied five times throughout including after the first quarter, and the lead also changed five times.
 
BIG WAVES

• Graduate forward Theresa Grace Mbanefo (Otesego, Minn./Cornell) continued her stellar output with 19 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
• Sophomore guard Ally Stedman (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS) contributed 17 points to go with three steals and three rebounds.
• Junior two-way player Jane Nwaba (Carson, Calif./Palisades Charter HS) had 11 points and eight boards.
• Sophomore forward Meaali'i Amosa (Garden Grove, Calif./Mater Dei HS) had four points but made her impact on the boards with 11 rebounds. It was the third double-digit rebound game this season for Amosa.

GAME RECAP
 
Portland State scored the first bucket of the game, but the Waves countered with a nine-point scoring to make it 9-2. The Vikings answered back with 10 straight points to amass a three-point lead. Portland State and Pepperdine went back and forth on shots and went into the second quarter tied at 15 each.
 
In the second quarter, the Vikings and Waves each put up baskets before six consecutive points for Pepperdine gave them back the advantage at 23-21. After a made free throw from Portland State, Stedman drained one from long range to give the Waves 26-23 lead heading into the half.
 
Out of the break, Pepperdine kept the momentum and scored another 10 straight points to extend the lead to double-digits, 36-22. The Vikings and Waves exchanged points through the rest of the quarter, before heading into the final frame with Pepperdine having a 46-34 lead.
 
Mbanefo had back-to-back layups to start the fourth quarter and made the score 50-34. Portland State had an eight-point scoring to cut the Waves lead to seven at 54-47. With under a minute left to play, the Waves and Vikings each had free throws, but Pepperdine earned another foul to close out the game with a freebie to collect the win.
 
STATS

• The Waves outscored the Vikings 15-9 on second chance points, where Pepperdine grabbed 45 rebounds compared to Portland State's 37.
• The Waves pounded the ball inside, going for 32 points in comparison to PSU's 26.
• Pepperdine outscored the Vikings 20-12 in the third quarter.

UP NEXT
 
Pepperdine will continue the homestand on Wednesday, Dec. 7 when the Roadrunners of CSU Bakersfield come to Malibu. The Waves will be hosting a toy drive and those who bring a toy to donate will receive free admission to the game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be live streamed on the WCC Network.