Pepperdine Is Beaten by Gonzaga

SPOKANE, Wash. — Sophomore forward Jim McPhee scored 27 points to lead Gonzaga to an 84-70 victory over Pepperdine in a West Coast Athletic Conference game Saturday night.

The victory ensured Gonzaga, 17-7 overall and 8-3 in the WCAC, of a home berth in the first round of the conference tournament. Pepperdine fell to 9-15 and 4-7.

Sophomore guard Doug Spradley was 3 of 3 from three-point range in scoring 21 points for Gonzaga.

Eric White and Ed Allen each scored 21 for Pepperdine.

The Waves cut a 42-32 halftime deficit to 52-49 on Dexter Howard’s jumper with 12:14 to play.

But Marlon Wadlington hit an 18-footer to launch a 13-0 Gonzaga run during the next 2:27 to give the Bulldogs a 65-49 lead. Spradley hit a three-point shot during the run, was fouled and made the free throw for a four-point play.