Pepperdine Comeback Bid Falls Short, 89-79

Give Pepperdine’s basketball team credit for versatility.

A week after blowing a 20-point second-half lead in a loss to San Francisco, the Waves nearly came back from a 21-point deficit Friday night.

But after getting within three points late in the game, the Waves’ comeback attempt fizzled as hot-shooting St. Mary’s pulled away for an 89-79 West Coast Conference victory before 1,637 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

It was the fourth consecutive loss for Pepperdine (7-8), which fell into sole possession of last place in the conference at 0-3.

St. Mary’s (8-7, 1-2) made 12 of 21 three-point shots (57.1%), led by guard David Sivulich. The 5-foot-10 sophomore made six of 12 three-point shots and scored 28 points. His last three-point basket with 11:38 to play gave the Gaels a 68-47 lead.

After that, Pepperdine’s pressing defense forced St. Mary’s into a rash of turnovers--the Gaels finished with 23--as the Waves stormed back behind Gerald Brown, who scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half.