Loss Sends Pepperdine Crashing Back to Earth

It took less than 24 hours for the momentum gained from the biggest victory of Pepperdine’s season to be erased by the worst team in the West Coast Conference.

After defeating first-place Gonzaga by five points Friday, the Waves looked unemotional against Portland Saturday night at Malibu, taking the lead only once before losing, 59-53, before 1,715 at Firestone Fieldhouse in the final regular-season game.

Pepperdine, 18-11 overall and 9-5 in the WCC, locked up the No. 2 seeding in the WCC tournament with Friday’s victory, so the game against the Pilots (9-17, 3-11) had no bearing for the Waves.

Pepperdine turned a 40-38 deficit into a 52-47 lead with 4:20 to play, but fouls and turnovers, and consecutive three-point baskets by Portland’s Jason Franklin and Travis Andrews, the second to take back the lead with 2:20 left, finished the Waves.

Andrews had a game-high 18 and Franklin added 11. Jelani Gardner was the only Pepperdine player in double figures, scoring 13.

Pepperdine shot only 42% and committed almost as many turnovers, 18 as they made field goals, 21. They committed 18 personal fouls, 12 in the second half.