Pepperdine’s Wave of Success Ends

After winning two road games last weekend, Pepperdine’s basketball team was hoping to extend its streak at home Friday night.

Unfortunately, Portland had other plans. The Pilots shackled Pepperdine with an aggressive defense and capitalized on a distinct advantage in depth to post a 78-72 West Coast Conference victory before 1,162 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

“They wanted it more than we did,” Pepperdine interim Coach Marty Wilson said. “We weren’t as hungry as we were last weekend, not as aggressive. It surprises me because I think we have a better team than they have.”

Pepperdine, 9-10 overall and 2-5 in the conference, appeared flat against Portland, consistently getting beat to loose balls and rebounds.

Portland (13-6, 4-3), playing a tough man-to-man defense, limited Pepperdine to 42.6% shooting and shut down Gerald Brown, who had 14 points on six-for-15 shooting.

With only eight players available, Pepperdine again lost the battle of the benches. Led by forward Rick Brainard’s team-high 15 points, five Portland reserves outscored their counterparts, 34-2.

Pepperdine plays host to Gonzaga at 7 tonight.