Pepperdine University
North Texas
Waves Head to North Texas
11/28/2023 10:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MALIBU, Calif. — Taking its easternmost road trip of the regular season, the Pepperdine women's basketball team heads to The Super Pit to face North Texas this Friday, Dec. 1.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. local time. Live stream and live stat links can be found on the women's basketball team's schedule page at pepperdinewaves.com.
Friday night will not only be the first-ever meeting between the two programs but also the Waves' (2-6) penultimate trip in the non-conference slate. From here, Pepperdine has a matchup at Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Dec. 16.
GAME #9: Pepperdine at North Texas | Friday, Dec. 1 | The Super Pit | Denton, Texas | ESPN+ | 4:30 p.m. PT
SCOUTING THE WAVES
The Waves look to pull out of a five-game losing skid against North Texas. Pepperdine pulled within six points of the Long Beach State Beach in the fourth quarter on Monday night, yet fell 68-53. Prior to that, Pepperdine had a second-half lead against Georgetown, but the Hoyas pulled away in the second half on Nov. 24.
Junior guard Ella Brubaker has been the Waves' leading scorer over the past three games. After scoring her Division I career-high 19 points at Boise State on Nov. 20, Brubaker as finished in double-figures over the last three games. Her 7.3 points per game is third on the team behind leading do-it-all guard Jane Nwaba (9.3 points per game) and graduate student Myra Gordon (8.9 points per game).
This game marks a return to Texas for Gordon, who has made an immediate impact for the Waves in her first season in Malibu. Playing in an expanded role this season, the Fort Worth, Texas native has recorded single-game career-highs in points (17 vs. UCI), rebounds (9 vs. LBSU), assists (5 vs. UC Irvine) and steals (5 vs. UC Irvine).
While the Waves are still solidifying their go-to options on offense, defense has been Pepperdine's calling card as of late. The Waves boast the West Coast Conference's lowest field goal percentage defense (37.7%) and are a top 100 team at defending the three-point shot (26.9%, 91st in Division I). Inside, the team's 4.8 blocks per game ranks 42nd in the NCAA — thanks in part to KK Brodie's 1.8 blocks per game, which is tied for second in the WCC. Brodie's 14 blocks are 22nd in the NCAA.
SCOUTING THE MEAN GREEN
The Mean Green were picked 12th out of 14 teams in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll. Last season, North Texas went 11-20 and finished seventh in Conference USA.
First-year head coach Jason Burton, who came over from Texas A&M Commerce this offseason, has gotten North Texas off to a promising 6-1 start. Led by former Texas A&M Commerce standouts DesiRay Kernal (team-best 15.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game) and seniors Jaaucklyn Moore (14.3 points per game) and Tommisha Lampkin (12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and a team-best 1.4 blocks per game).
The Mean Green are 6-1 this season with their only loss being a 74-55 game at Texas A&M on Nov. 12. North Texas is a top-50 offense in scoring (79.1 points per game, 47th) and field goal percentage (46.9%, 33rd), while also getting to the free-throw line at an impressive clip: the team's 29.29 free-throw attempts per game lead the nation.
UP NEXT: After an eight-day respite, Pepperdine hosts California Baptist for the first game of a home doubleheader on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.pepperdinewaves.com.
