Bad Start for Pepperdine, Romar

Pepperdine made only one of 18 three-point shots and was only 21 for 62 (33.9%) overall from the field as the Waves lost their first game under new Coach Lorenzo Romar, 80-54, to Weber State Friday night at the Dee Event Center.

Pepperdine even had trouble from the foul line, making only 11 of 25 free throws (44%).

“Weber State did a good job of denying the ball to [Pepperdine junior forward] Bryan Hill in the low post, and we hurt ourselves by missing free throws and open shots,” Romar said. “You are not going to win basketball games by allowing the opponent 22 offensive rebounds.

“Obviously, it was a tough start, but we are going to go back home and work hard to get better.”

Pepperdine plays its home opener Monday at 5 p.m. against UC Santa Barbara in a game to be televised by Fox Sports West.

Midway through the first half, Weber State went on a 16-6 run to take a 30-19 lead and the score was 36-28 at halftime. After a basket by Hill to pull to 36-30, it was all Weber.

As a team, Weber outrebounded Pepperdine, 57-35.

Freshman Nathan Miller had 15 points and sophomore Damien Baskerville added 14, while sophomore Eric Ketcham had 12 rebounds to lead Weber State.

Pepperdine was led by Marc McDowell, who scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Tommie Prince had eight points and nine rebounds. Hill was held to nine points.