Romar Happy With Progress, Even In Defeat

His team still can’t make free throws, but Pepperdine basketball Coach Lorenzo Romar saw the Waves making strides Saturday night.

Pepperdine rallied all the way back from a 13-point, second-half deficit against taller Pacific, but the Tigers made three of four free throws in the last 20 seconds to come away with a 54-52 nonconference victory before 1,627 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Although it was the third consecutive loss for the Waves (1-4), Romar was pleased with the effort.

“In the last couple of games, I thought we took one or two steps back,” he said. “Tonight we took two or three steps forward. I see us taking better care of the ball and I see us recognizing situations better.

“I’m not into moral victories, but [Pacific] is the best team we have played. We did everything it takes to win.”

Well, almost everything. Pepperdine made only one of eight free throws, after making only three of 17 on Tuesday against San Jose State. In addition, the Waves committed 17 turnovers and their leading scorer, Marques Johnson, disappeared with no points on 0-for-4 shooting.

But positives outnumbered negatives. Perhaps most encouraging was the emergence of center Bryan Hill, who finished with a game-high 23 points and scored the Waves’ final 10 points. The 6-foot-8 Hill, matched against 7-foot Michael Olowokandi, drove for a layup to pull Pepperdine within 53-52 with 10 seconds to play.

Khary Hervey immediately fouled Pacific’s Monty Owens, who made one of two free throws. Pepperdine got off two shots on its final possession, but R.J. Powell’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim and Hill’s 18-foot shot from the corner rattled in and out of the basket as time expired.

“I thought it was good,” Hill said.

Nearly everything else the junior put up from the field was good. He made 11 of 18 shots and repeatedly challenged Olowokandi, who led Pacific (4-1) with 17 points on eight-for-10 shooting and three blocks. Olowokandi was in foul trouble much of the game.

“The last couple of games I haven’t been in my rhythm,” Hill said. “But today I just took it to the big guy. I was hoping to draw some fouls and maybe get some three-point plays to get off to a good start. It worked.”

The only noticeable flaw in Hill’s game was his one-for-five shooting from the foul line. He has made only two of 17 free throws in the last three games.

The Waves are shooting 41.1% from the foul line.

“It’s a big concern,” Hill said. “It’s not just a couple of guys, it’s the whole team. All we can do is shoot [free throws] every day. It’s just a matter of gaining confidence.”