Waves Extend Streak in the WCC to 20, 77-64

The University of San Francisco could have used the rebounding and scoring of Darryl Johnson against Pepperdine on Friday night.

Without Johnson, who suffered a concussion last week against the University of San Diego and did not make the trip, the Dons were outrebounded, 34-20, and lost, 77-64, before 3,012 at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

Pepperdine, which won its 20th consecutive West Coast Conference game, improved to 11-5 overall and 4-0 in conference play. The Dons, who have lost all four of their WCC games, fell to 8-9 overall.

Johnson, a 6-foot-6 senior center, leads the conference in rebounding with a 9.6 average. He also averages 13.4 points.

In his absence, the Waves attacked inside early, outrebounded San Francisco, 18-7, during the first half and took a 42-27 halftime lead.

The Dons increased their defensive pressure in the second half and pulled to 62-52 on a three-point basket by Kevin Weeks. But that was as close as they got.

The Waves led by as many as 20 points during the second half.

Pepperdine Coach Tom Asbury acknowledged that Johnson would have made a difference, but added, “I thought (Alvin) Brown (Johnson’s replacement for most of the game) really did a nice job. I thought he hurt us.”

Brown, a junior from Granada Hills High and a transfer from Columbia College, scored 15 points but took only four rebounds, which was more than any other Don. Teammate Tim Owens scored 19 points.

Pepperdine’s Geoff Lear also scored 19 points and had 10 rebounds. Doug Christie had 17 points and Steve Guild added 16, including two three-point baskets.

Asbury said: “As usual, Guild gave us a great lift, not only with his shooting but also defensively on Owens.

“Without Johnson, you’ve got to look for Owens to up his production, but Steve did a good job of denying him the ball and played good defense against him.”

The Waves will play host to St. Mary’s (11-8, 2-2) at 7:30 tonight.