Waves Win to Claim Another WCC Record

Going into its game against St. Mary’s on Friday night, the Pepperdine basketball team already held the record for consecutive West Coast Conference victories with 37.

But the University of San Francisco still claimed a share of the longest streak in regular-season play with 31 from 1954 to 1957.

Pepperdine ended that with a 65-53 victory over the Gaels before 3,063 at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

“They’re (San Francisco) going to hold onto that record as long as they can,” Pepperdine Coach Tom Asbury said. “But any way you count them, it’s over now and we’re happy to have it.”

It also marked the eighth victory in a row for the Waves, who improved to 14-3 overall and 5-0 in conference play. St. Mary’s is 5-11 and 1-4.

Pepperdine won behind guard Steve Guild, who scored 17 points, and forward Dana Jones with 16 points.

It was the best offensive showing by Guild since he replaced injured guard Damin Lopez in the Pepperdine starting lineup three games ago.

“We lost about 15 points and a lot of minutes when Damin went out,” Guild said. “We’ve had different people pick up on different nights, and tonight just happened to be my night. As long as someone picks up, it’s all right with me.”

The first half bore a striking resemblance to the first game between the teams last week, when Pepperdine overcame a slow tempo to post a 54-46 victory.

Pepperdine took an 11-2 lead on Byron Jenson’s jump shot with 13 minutes remaining in the half before St. Mary’s rallied.

The Gaels led by four points twice, including 23-19 on a driving layup by Darrell Daniel with 2:51 to play in the half.

But Pepperdine scored the final seven points of the half, regaining the lead on a jump shot and a free throw by Guild for a 26-23 halftime advantage.

The Waves led by as many as 15 points several times in the second half, although St. Mary’s trimmed its deficit to 54-48 on a layup by guard Chris Johnson with 2:06 remaining.

“Some nights it’s really important just to win, and St. Mary’s always gives us a tough game,” Asbury said.

Pepperdine allowed the Gaels to stay close by making only 13 of its 28 free throws.

In addition to Guild and Jones, Pepperdine was sparked by enson with 13 points and Bryan Parker with 11. St. Mary’s was led by Brian Brazier with 16 points and Darrell Daniel with 13.