Pepperdine Overcomes Long Beach

Poor free-throw shooting was Long Beach State’s undoing Saturday as it made only eight of 18 in a 76-74 loss at Pepperdine in the nonconference season opener for both teams.

After leading for nearly the entire second half, the Waves needed a layup by Tommie Prince with 32.3 seconds left to make Jan van Breda Kolff a winner in his Pepperdine coaching debut before a crowd of 1,163 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

The 49ers had two chances to tie or win in the final seconds. Center Mate Milisa missed a 10-foot jumper with 15.2 seconds to play. Neither team could take possession on the scramble for the rebound, with Pepperdine eventually knocking the ball out of bounds with 7.2 seconds left.

The inbounds pass went to Ramel Lloyd, who was double-teamed behind the three-point line. He passed back to D’Cean Bryant, whose 35-foot shot went off the backboard as time expired.

After surrendering 13 consecutive points to trail, 13-4, 6:12 into the game, the Waves chipped away and took a 35-33 halftime advantage.

Pepperdine held its biggest lead, 71-62, with 4:34 left, before Milisa’s three-point basket tied the score, 74-74, with 1:04 remaining, capping a 12-3 run.

Antrone Lee topped the 49ers with 19 points and James Williams added 17. Prince’s 17 led three Waves in double figures.