Pepperdine Does the Expected

The game had the look of a mismatch before it began: West Coast Conference preseason favorite Pepperdine against Cal State Fullerton, which won only eight games last season.

Then Brandon Armstrong made a three-point shot just seconds into the game, and Pepperdine quickly turned it into exactly that.

The Waves built a 17-point lead 12 minutes into the first half and went on to an 82-61 nonconference victory Tuesday night in front of 1,053 at Titan Gym.

It was the third consecutive victory over a Big West Conference team for Pepperdine (3-1)--also a winner over UC Santa Barbara and Pacific.

Armstrong scored 17 points to lead the Waves, with 15 coming in the first half. Pepperdine had four other players score in double figures--David Lalazarian with 16 points, Craig Lewis with 13, and Micah McKinney and Kelvin Gibbs with 11 each.

Guard Kevin Richardson and reserve forward Babacar Camara each had 14 points for Fullerton (0-3).

Fullerton’s Ike Harmon, suspended for the first two games because of an undisclosed violation of team policy, made his first appearance with almost 13 minutes gone in the second half and Pepperdine leading, 63-38. He scored two points.