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TONIGHT

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No. 13 Gonzaga (15-2, 2-0) at Pepperdine (9-6, 2-0), 7:30, Fox Sports Net, KPLS (830)--Although the Waves have victories over No. 9 UCLA and No. 18 USC, this is their biggest game to date because of its impact on the West Coast Conference race. The winner will gain sole possession of first place. Gonzaga brings a 12-game winning streak into the game, which is sold out, and has not lost since dropping a 72-63 decision to Marquette on Nov. 24. Senior guard Dan Dickau, who is averaging a WCC-best 19.4 points, will draw most of the attention from Pepperdine’s pressure defense. Pepperdine, which has won four in a row since a loss at Arizona, relies on a balanced, up-tempo attack and a ball-hawking defense that is forcing an average of 19.1 turnovers and limited St. Mary’s and San Francisco to a combined 32.7% shooting in road victories last weekend. Junior forward Jimmy Miggins and freshman guard Terrance Johnson lead the Waves in scoring with averages of 14.9 and 14.5, respectively.

Rob Fernas

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Portland (4-12, 0-2) at Loyola Marymount (8-8, 1-1), 7, KXLU-FM (88.9)--Loyola lost at San Francisco and defeated St. Mary’s last weekend in its first two West Coast Conference games. The Lions rank second in the conference, shooting 45.9%. Portland has lost eight games in a row. The Pilots, who are coached by former UCLA player and assistant Michael Holton, lost to San Diego and Santa Clara last weekend. Loyola continues its WCC schedule Saturday against Gonzaga.

Gary Klein