The Pepperdine women's basketball team defeated San Diego 68-66, taking both games against the Toreros in conference play.
The Waves (7-9, 2-5) got off to a hot start, scoring 21 in the first quarter. Despite a valiant effort at a comeback by the Toreros (4-12, 0-7), Pepperdine proved too resilient for San Diego, winning their first conference road game this season.
"I'm really proud of our collective response and team effort on the road," Head Coach
Katie Faulkner said. "To have people step up in new ways shows us we are still growing and on a journey of becoming our best."
BIG WAVES
Senior
Maggie Vick (Morristown, Tenn.) put up a career-high 17 points in addition to seven assists.
Senior
Makena Mastora (Alameda, Calif.) scored 15 with eight rebounds,
Freshman
Chloe Sotell (Samford, Conn.) was the third and final Wave in double digits, scoring 10 with a team-high six assists.
KEY STATS
Taking advantage of Torero mistakes, the Waves outscored the opponent on points off turnovers 25-12.
Controlling the majority of the game, Pepperdine held the lead for over 30 minutes by as much as 12 points.
Playing clean defense, the Waves committed less than half the fouls of the Toreros, holding the advantage 10-21.
RECAP
Pepperdine got out to a fast start to open the game. Shooting 66.7 percent from the field, most of what was being shot was finding the basket. For the second game in a row, Vick drew a charge in the first quarter, firing the team up to perform offensively. Mastora had the sole three of the quarter and after going a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity line, the Waves were up 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The latter ten minutes of the half started similarly to the first. As Pepperdine began to find their groove, senior
Ornela Muca (Athens, Greece) hit back-to-back threes midway through the quarter to give the Waves a double digit lead, triggering a San Diego timeout.
Out of the break, the Toreros were fighting to lessen the deficit. Going on a 7-2 run, the Waves' lead had cut in half with just under two to go in the quarter. Free throws by senior
Malia Mastora (Alameda, Calif.) and a layup by senior
Megan Harkey (Summerfield, N.C.) offset a San Diego layup to give the Waves a 38-31 lead at the break.
Offense slowed for Pepperdine in the third quarter. Despite being outscored 15-19, Vick had her best quarter of play in the afternoon, scoring seven to keep her team ahead. Sotell also hit her first three of the game, making it her 11th game in a row with a three-pointer, the longest streak for a freshman in Pepperdine women's basketball history. The Waves hung on to the lead going into the fourth 53-50.
Coming down to the wire, every possession counted in the final 10 minutes. Shooting 31 percent overall in the second half, the Waves relied on their defense to finish the game out. Pepperdine forced six San Diego turnovers in the quarter, ensuring the final outcome was in their hands. The game was iced with free throws from Sotell and Makena, the two combining for a total of six made from the line, finalizing a 68-66 Waves victory.
UP NEXT
Pepperdine is home next week to face the Pacific Tigers Thursday, Jan. 23. Admission is free for all firefighters and first responders. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).
