Pepperdine Buries Loyola, 86-56

Pepperdine, stung by an upset loss to Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, left nothing to chance in the rematch.

The Waves took a 16-point halftime lead, extended it to 37 behind a barrage of Damin Lopez three-pointers and finished with a convincing 86-56 West Coast Conference victory Saturday night before 3,148 at Gersten Pavilion.

Lopez, who scored 19 points and made five of seven three-pointers, said Pepperdine needed to regain its focus after a 76-74 loss to Loyola at Firestone Fieldhouse.

“We knew we had something to prove to ourselves,” Lopez said. “Let’s face it, on Wednesday (Loyola) just wanted it more than we did. We came out with a lot more intensity tonight.”

By ending a two-game conference losing streak, Pepperdine (11-7, 3-3) moved into a four-way tie for third place in the WCC, three games behind leader Gonzaga. Loyola fell to 2-15 and 1-5.

“I told the guys we can still have a little something to do with (the WCC title),” Pepperdine Coach Tom Asbury said. “We play (Gonzaga) twice in six days and they still have to go down to San Francisco and San Diego. It’s not quite over yet.”

Despite the absence of center Derek Noether, sidelined with a strained right arch, Pepperdine was never challenged Saturday. The Waves quickly built on a 38-22 halftime advantage and led by its biggest margin, 76-39, shortly after Lopez hit four consecutive three-point shots.

Forward Dana Jones led Pepperdine with 21 points and 10 rebounds.