Hinojosa Warms to Waves’ Task

Damaris Hinojosa had a pretty good excuse for struggling early in Pepperdine’s game against San Francisco on Friday night.

Hinojosa suffered a contusion on her left leg in practice Thursday, spent 24 hours on crutches and missed the pregame shoot-around.

While she wasn’t at full strength, it was difficult to notice in Pepperdine’s 78-59 victory in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Hinojosa, from Moorpark High, finished with 18 points.

She didn’t score until there was 6:55 remaining in the first half but wound up making seven of 15 shots, including three three-point baskets.

“As soon as I loosened up, I got it going pretty good,” Hinojosa said. “I think it’s a good thing to get everyone else involved and let the game come to me later.”

Coach Mark Trakh of the Waves (13-7, 3-2) said Hinojosa can make an impact even if she isn’t at full strength.

“She’s really tough,” he said of Hinojosa. “I think she’s one of the best guards in the country.

“She’s got everything you want in a player.”

The Dons (10-8, 3-2) haven’t won at Pepperdine since the 1996-97 season.

Trakh was even more impressed with his team’s defense.

The Dons entered the game as the second best three-point shooting team in the conference.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, it rarely received the opportunity against a tight defense.

The Dons took only seven three-point shots in the game, making three.

“I thought we defended them very well,” Trakh said. “We did a good job tonight against a very good shooting team.”

It was the 12th consecutive WCC victory at home for the Waves (13-7, 3-2) heading into an important game against St. Mary’s tonight.

St. Mary’s (15-3, 4-1) is tied for first with Santa Clara after losing to Loyola Marymount on Friday night.

Shandrika Lee added 15 points, Nadja Morgan had 12 points and Anna Lembke scored 10 for the Waves.