Lopez’s 22 Points Pace Pepperdine : College basketball: He makes five three-pointers and leads the Waves to a 65-56 victory over North Carolina Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Damin Lopez scored a personal-best 22 points, including five three-point baskets, to lead Pepperdine to a 65-56 victory over North Carolina Charlotte on Friday.

Defensive intensity sparked Pepperdine (2-1) from the outset, as the 49ers converted only 10 of 30 first-half shots.

The 5-foot-8 Lopez made three three-pointers during the stretch, and the Waves opened a 31-13 lead with 7:53 left in the first half.

North Carolina Charlotte (3-2) employed a full-court press, however, and ran off 11 consecutive points, cutting the deficit to 31-24 with 3:35 left in the period.

But Pepperdine increased the lead to 40-24 at halftime and after an 11-4 run by the 49ers made the score 44-35 with 14:39 left in the game, Lopez made two more three-pointers to seal the victory.

“This was a tremendous win for our program and it may be the best victory in nonconference play since I became head coach (before the 1988-89 season),” Pepperdine Coach Tom Asbury said.

“I was pleased with our aggressiveness, especially on defense.”

Senior forward Byron Jenson added 15 points--14 in the first half--for the Waves.

Rodney Odom, a 6-foot-11 center who spent a redshirt season at UCLA, led the 49ers with 19 points.