Far From Best, Waves Will Be Better

Patience, please.

It’s not Pepperdine’s forte, to be sure. The Waves hurry shots, play defense like hungry dogs and desperately want to be considered the equal of a ranked opponent.

But patience the Waves must develop in abundance. Do they have a choice?

Clearly not after a 76-73 loss to No. 13 USC on Thursday night at the Sports Arena.

Returning to the level the Waves displayed in last season’s NCAA victory over Indiana won’t happen until after Santa’s gone back up the chimney, George W. Bush is sworn in and March Madness is on the horizon.

Freshman starters at point guard and center are taking baby steps in a painful learning curve. Eventually Micah McKinney will be a consistent playmaker. Someday Will Kimble will be a versatile center.

In time.

Many of the veterans have also started slowly. Forward David Lalazarian is shooting 37%, guard Craig Lewis is hobbling, guard Derrick Anderson is rusty and shot-blocking center Cedric Suitt doesn’t score enough and commits too many fouls.

All of which leaves Kelvin Gibbs and Brandon Armstrong to supply savvy and scoring.

Against USC, Gibbs did so early, scoring 15 of his 19 points in the first half, then fouling out with 5:32 to play. And Armstrong did so late, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the second half and pulling Pepperdine (5-3) to within 73-70 on a three-pointer with 28.7 seconds left.

But the seasoned Trojans (7-0) made a string of free throws down the stretch to seal a victory they had well in hand most of the game.

“We played hard, we’re getting better,” Wave forward Kelvin Gibbs said. “Our team showed character coming back. We’ll get there.”

USC focused on stopping Armstrong, employing a box-and-one defense and guarding his face so well he took a nasty little gash above his left eye.

The rest of the Waves took their punches in stride and believe better things are ahead.

“These lessons hurt, but we will become a better team because of it,” Lalazarian said. “It’s similar to last year in a way. We didn’t really reach our potential until conference play.

“We’ve got freshmen and guys in new positions. It’s taking time.”

That Pepperdine came within a missed three-point shot at the buzzer by freshman Glen McGowan from forcing overtime is proof that the luster of last season’s 25-9 record and West Coast Conference title is only a spit-shine away.

The Waves might yet fulfill their promise. Patience, please.