Lear Carries Pepperdine Past Montana State

Geoff Lear scored 23 points and grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds to lead Pepperdine to an 83-76 victory over Montana State in the opening game of the Coors Light tournament Friday night.

The Waves, who play host Fresno State in the title game tonight at 8, overcame a 46-42 halftime deficit with a 16-2 run to open the second half. The Waves (1-0) led by as many as 12 points midway through the second half before Montana State (1-1) rallied to cut the margin to 76-75 with 1:37 left in the game.

But one free throw by Doug Christie and three by Allen Lightfoot allowed Pepperdine to clinch the victory.

Dave Moritz led the Bobcats with 20 points, including six three-point baskets.

Christie had 22 points for the Waves.

Fresno State 104, USIU 76--The Bulldogs, who led 53-36 at halftime, coasted to a victory over U.S. International in the second game. Tod Bernard was the top Fresno scorer with 19 points.