Sloppy Waves Topple Pilots

Sometimes you just have to be grateful for a win.

That was Paul Westphal’s attitude Saturday after the Pepperdine coach watched his team sputter like a misfiring engine for much of its first-round game in the West Coast Conference tournament.

The top-seeded Waves fell behind by seven in the first half, shot only 38.5% from the field and had 20 turnovers.

Yet, instead of dwelling on negatives, Westphal was counting his blessings after Pepperdine persevered for a 77-64 victory against eighth-seeded Portland before 4,360 at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

“I’m glad to get away with a win,” he said. “We turned the ball over way too much, didn’t shoot well. It’s nice to advance.”

Junior guard Devin Montgomery led four Waves in double figures with 17 points as Pepperdine (21-7) advanced to the semifinals against sixth-seeded St. Mary’s (9-19) at approximately 8:45 tonight.

Montgomery acknowledged that part of the battle was staying motivated against a team Pepperdine had beaten by 21 and six points in two regular-season meetings, but he said that was no excuse.

“Right now it shouldn’t be tough because we’re trying to get in the [NCAA] tournament,” Montgomery said. “We have to play hard every game, no matter who it’s against.”

Pepperdine’s postseason got off to a rocky start after Portland (6-24) opened a 28-21 lead on Adam Quick’s three-point basket with 7:30 left in the first half.

From that point, though, the Waves seemed to wake up. A layup by backup center Will Kimble started a 20-3 run that resulted in a 41-31 halftime lead, and Pepperdine led by at least five throughout the second half on the way to its 16th victory in 17 games.

Guard Mike Westphal, the coach’s son, came off the bench to make a three-point basket and cap the Waves’ first-half run with a jump shot at the buzzer, falling on his backside and helping save the old man’s in the process.

Mike Westphal also contributed with his defense, helping Pepperdine harass Portland into 26 turnovers and 33.9% shooting from the field.

“I thought our defense was pretty good,” the elder Westphal said. “That’s why we won the game.”

Addressing Portland’s turnovers, first-year Coach Michael Holton said, “That took away any opportunity we had to compete. At the end of the day, [Pepperdine] had more energy and more aggressiveness.”

The Pilots managed to stay in the game by making nine of 25 three-point attempts, including six of 11 by guard Casey Frandsen, who led all scorers with 20 points.

Portland, after falling behind by as many as 15 in the second half, mounted one last challenge. Free throws by guard Patrick Galos and forward Coky Rochin pulled the Pilots within 66-61 with 5:05 to play.

Pepperdine responded with an 8-0 run, getting a three-point basket from freshman guard Terrance Johnson and a three-point play by Kimble on successive possessions. Kimble finished with 10 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

Forward Jimmy Miggins, the Waves’ leading scorer, wasn’t a factor until the second half after being benched because of three fouls in the first half. He scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half, including two dunks.