SPOKANE, Wash. – Pepperdine women's basketball (9-5, 0-2 WCC) went cold from distance against Gonzaga (10-5, 2-0 WCC) Tuesday night in McCarthey Athletic Center, dropping the game 52-75. .
 
"Basketball is a game of runs," head coach Katie Faulkner said. "I think we had a few [runs] tonight that showed glimpses of the team we can be but we have to learn to do that consistently."
 
Without a lead all night, the Waves were working at a deficit nearly the entire 40 minutes of play. Taija Sta. Maria opened the scoring for Pepperdine with a drive to the basket to tie the game 2-2 early, the only tie all night.
 
Despite never grabbing the lead, the Waves fought through Bulldog runs to keep the game close. The home team went on a 12-0 run early to put Pepperdine down 2-14. A three from Elli Guiney would give the team the confidence needed to go on a run of their own, shutting Gonzaga down defensively while scoring nine unanswered to end the first quarter trailing 11-14.
 
Sta. Maria led Pepperdine in the second quarter with five, netting both shots attempted. Three other Waves scored in the quarter, shooting a combined .250 from the field. Gonzaga shot double that, hitting eight of their 16 shots to stretch their lead 22-33 heading into the break.
 
Opening the second half on an 11-4 run after an early timeout, the Waves were within reach of equalizing, down 33-40. Halting all momentum, seven straight fouls were called on the visiting side to give Gonzaga seven free throws and a comfortable lead as Pepperdine trailed 35-55 with one quarter to go.
 
Meghan Fiso led the Waves in the final quarter with five points as Bulldog defense kept Pepperdine away from mounting a comeback. Barely out-scoring the Waves in the fourth, Gonzaga stretched their lead to end the game as Pepperdine fell 52-75 in the final conference game in the Kennel.
 
Shooting .182 from beyond the arc the whole game, it is Pepperdine's second lowest percentage of the season, hitting four on 22 attempts. This is the first time this season the Waves have suffered back-to-back losses.
 
In the third game within five days, Pepperdine heads back to Malibu to host the Gaels of Saint Mary's for a Friday night showdown. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. and the first fans in attendance will be given a retro "shersey" to coincide with throwback night. The game will stream on ESPN+ (subscription required) and live stats available at pepperdinewaves.com.
 
GAME NOTES
 

• Taija Sta. Maria led the Waves for the first game this season, putting up 16 points.
• Freshman Ilinca Belegants got her first basket in her collegiate career from the field, hitting a three in the fourth quarter.
• With 12 turnovers, it is Pepperdine's best game taking care of the ball against a DI opponent this season.
• Outrebounded 27-43, it is the lowest rebound total for Pepperdine this year.
• Tying the low for the season, the Waves were only held to 52 points one other game this season, against No. 18 USC.

 
 
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Pepperdine women's basketball has made four NCAA postseason appearances in its history, having won the WCC regular-season four times and the WCC Tournament on three occasions. With six All-American selections in program history, the Waves have also seen success in the WNIT Tournament which included a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2019.
 
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