Pepperdine Misses Shots at Victory

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

Pepperdine rallied 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.

“I’m not into moral victories, but [Pacific] is the best team we have played,” he said. “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. The Waves committed 17 turnovers and their leading scorer, Marques Johnson, disappeared with no points on 0-for-4 shooting.

Center Bryan Hill, who finished with a game-high 23 points, 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 as time expired.

Olowokandi had three blocks and led Pacific (4-1) with 17 points on eight-of-10 shooting.