With five different Waves scoring double digits, the Pepperdine women's basketball team defeated Cal State Northridge 84-58 in the Premier America Credit Union Arena Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Waves (4-2) have won three in a row and are off to the best start since the 2019-2020 season, getting two of the three on the road. An accumulated 84 points is the most by Pepperdine in a regulation-length game since March 6, 2020 in a 87-72 win at Saint Mary's.
 
Seniors Malia Mastora (Alameda, Calif.) and Megan Harkey (Summerfield, N.C.) had career performances, combining for 34 points against the Matadors (1-5).
 
"Being on the road for the fourth time this season, I'm very proud of the effort this group put forth. Coachability is an important trait this time of the year, and this group is fighting every day to build a culture of growth," Head coach Katie Faulkner said. "Learning from our mistakes in-game and being able to make adjustments on the fly is a testament to the culture we are building. A complete game from everyone and thankful for the opportunity!"
 
BIG WAVES
 
Mastora paired seven rebounds and five blocks to add to her career-high 18 points.
 
Harkey set two career highs with 16 points and six blocks.
 
Freshman Chloe Sotell (Samford, Conn.) shot .500 beyond the arc, scoring all 12 of her points on the afternoon from three.
 
KEY STATS
 
The Waves limited turnovers to a season-low, only giving the ball up eight times while the Matadors had 14 total turnovers.
 
With no problem sharing the ball, Pepperdine dished out 24 assists, compared to CSUN's 13.
 
Celebrating Thanksgiving a day early, the Waves served the Matadors a heapful of stuffing, recording 13 blocks on the afternoon.
 
Pepperdine edged out CSUN in rebounds 40-38, including 33-23 on defensive rebounds.
 
RECAP
 
From the beginning, Pepperdine took control of the game. CSUN led for only 1:35, all in the first quarter. The Waves took care of the ball on both sides of the court, recording the lowest number of turnovers all season with eight.
 
Up 21-20 through the first quarter, Pepperdine was 3-for-5 from three, including two from the freshman Sotell. Mastora had five points and a block.  
 
Pepperdine began to pull away in the latter 10 minutes of the half doubling the Matadors 10 points in the second quarter, the Waves limited turnovers while shooting nearly 53 percent from the field. At the half, Pepperdine had an 11-point advantage at a 31-20 score.
 
The real fun began for the Waves in the second half. Not letting up on the gas, Pepperdine outscored the first half by dropping 43 points with the help of 10 points from Harkey, 11 from senior Ella Brubaker (University Place, Wash.) and six from senior Helena Friend (Huntington Beach, Calif.). Seven second-half blocks would also give Pepperdine a season-high combined 13 blocks for the squad.
 
Giving the Waves a 17-point lead to end the third quarter, Harkey and Senior Makena Mastora (Alameda, Calif.) stopped the Matadors with two consecutive blocks, both ending in Pepperdine points thanks to a three from Malia and a fast-break from Brubaker, respectively.
 
The Waves found their groove as the game went on, shooting a season-best 55 percent overall while limiting the Matadors to shoot just 29.2 percent.
 
UP NEXT
 
After Thanksgiving, the Waves are back in action at Long Beach State Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.