McKinney Provides Big Relief for Waves

Losing three top players could have been disastrous for Pepperdine. Micah McKinney found it to be ideal Tuesday night.

With three Waves serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules, McKinney started at point guard and had 19 points and 10 assists in leading Pepperdine over Long Beach State, 93-83, in front of 1,586 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

McKinley started in place of Devin Montgomery, who was suspended along with leading scorer Jimmy Miggins and key reserve Gary Colbert for missing curfew on the team’s road trip to Salt Lake City. Coach Paul Westphal said the three will play against USC on Thursday night at the Forum.

“It was major enough to warrant a suspension,” Westphal said. “We had to get their attention.”

McKinney had played only 22 minutes and had not gotten off the bench in two games. On Tuesday, he played 37 minutes and made five of nine shots, including three of four three-point baskets. He had four of the Waves’ 12 steals.

“He played with great effort,” Westphal said. “He shot the ball well and made some big free throws down the stretch.”

McKinney appreciated the extra playing time.

“My main goal was to get to the hole and if I can free up somebody, they’ll make it, but if not, then I’m going to score,” he said. “With Paul Westphal, he gives everybody the opportunity to shoot the ball. Not just one person.”

The Waves (3-2) made 17 of 24 (71%) shots in the first half and eight of 12 three-pointers.

Craig Lewis was hot from the outset. The senior guard made three three-pointers, scoring 11 points in the first six minutes and 16 in the half.

“We needed to defend their three-point shooters better,” Long Beach Coach Wayne Morgan said. “They have a lot of good players. They shoot the ball very well.”

Rudy Williams cut Pepperdine’s lead to 51-45 with a layup to start the second half.

The Waves quickly built the lead to double digits, but 24 turnovers allowed the 49ers to hang around.

Long Beach (3-4) has lost four of five.

Tony Darden led the 49ers with a game-high 21 points and Travis Reed had 16 points and 11 rebounds.