Waves Slug Out an 80-60 Victory

For a few moments in the first half Friday night against Portland, the Pepperdine basketball team appeared to have lost its focus.

But by the time the second half started, it was business as usual for the Waves.

After leading by eight at the half, they went on a 10-0 run in the first five minutes of the second half and were firmly in control after that in an 80-60 victory over the Pilots in a West Coast Conference game at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

The Waves, 18-6 overall and 8-1 in the WCC, have won nine of their last 10 games. They play host to first-place Gonzaga, the only WCC team to defeat Pepperdine, today at 5..

Pepperdine Coach Jan van Breda Kolff is hoping his team will be as focused as it was in the second half against Portland (8-14, 2-7).

“We brought out our high energy in the second half,” van Breda Kolff said. “When we play with energy like that, we’re a pretty good basketball team.”

After stretching a 41-33 halftime lead to 16 points in the first five minutes of the second half, the Waves led by as many as 25 late in the game.

Forward Kelvin Gibbs was particularly effective, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the half. He also finished with six rebounds and five steals.

Gibbs said all it took was a little push from Pepperdine assistant Gib Arnold at halftime.

“He told me I only had three points and three rebounds and I was a better player than that,” Gibbs said. “I just figured it was time to pick things up.”

Teammate Tezale Archie led Pepperdine with 15 points, including three three-point baskets, and Tommie Prince had 13 points.

Portland made a season-high 18 of 19 free throws but converted only 18 of 47 shots (38.3%) from the field.