Johnson Stays in Touch From Long Distance for Pepperdine
For a team that shot only 42.5% last season, little could have been more welcome than watching junior college transfer Marques Johnson sink a succession of long-range shots Tuesday night in Pepperdine’s home opener.
Johnson scored a game-high 24 points as Pepperdine defeated Seattle, 76-62, before 723 at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Johnson had 17 points by halftime, making seven of 10 shots in the half and nine of 14 in the game. He also had five three-point baskets.
“I felt a lot of confidence in the first half,” said Johnson, who transferred from Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Iowa. “‘When my shot is there, I’ll take it.”
Seattle went to a box-and-one defense after halftime to put more pressure on Johnson, but after being shut out for the first 10 minutes of the second half, he made two key plays.
Pepperdine’s nine-point halftime lead had been cut to 51-46 when Johnson made a steal and a layup. And with 6:30 to play, he made his last three-point shot to put the Waves (1-1) ahead, 59-52.
“[Johnson] is a true two-guard, something we haven’t had,” said center Gavin Van Der Putten, who had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Another Wave newcomer made a key contribution at point guard. Freshman Tezale Archie had nine points and three assists in place of Khary Hervey, who did not play because of a deep thigh bruise.
Other than Johnson, the Waves didn’t shoot well. Gerald Brown, an All-West Coast Conference guard, made five of 16 shots and forward Bryan Hill made four of 11. However, the pair did combine to make 14 of 17 free throws.
Seattle (1-6), an NAIA team that fell to Loyola Marymount on Sunday, could not take advantage of Pepperdine’s 38.5% shooting. The Chieftains committed 23 turnovers and were outrebounded, 42-33.
Kenny Bush, a senior guard from Rialto Eisenhower High, led Seattle with 18 points.
Pepperdine, which lost its opener at South Florida, must play 10 of its next 12 games on the road. The Waves were 1-14 away from home last season.
