Pepperdine Wins Title

In the span of a few jubilant minutes Sunday, Sarah Richen seized the championship placard, hoisted the championship trophy and expressed what it meant for Pepperdine to finally win the West Coast Conference women’s tournament title.

“It’s a dream come true,” said the senior forward.

And it’s not over.

Top-seeded Pepperdine earned the WCC’s automatic berth in the NCAA tournament by pulling away in the final three minutes for an 81-77 victory over second-seeded Santa Clara in the conference final before 1,181 at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Richen’s three-point basket from the baseline gave the Waves the lead for good, 69-66, with 2:47 to play. Seconds later, guard Shandrika Lee made it a five-point lead with a steal and layup.

But the Waves couldn’t breathe easily until Nadja Morgan made two free throws with 0.7 on the clock to account for the final margin, after Santa Clara guard Becki Ashbaugh kept the Broncos within striking range by scoring eight points in the last 12.4 seconds, including two three-point baskets.

“Either team could have won this game,” said Pepperdine Coach Mark Trakh.

Though Pepperdine (23-7) went without a field goal for the final 2:30, the Waves maintained the lead down the stretch by making 10 of 14 free throws.

Morgan, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, led Pepperdine with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Junior guard Damaris Hinojosa, the tournament most valuable player, had 12 points on four three-pointers, three at critical junctures of the second half. Lee scored 15 points, Richen 13 and center Shannon Mayberry 10.

After losing in the WCC final in 1999 and 2000, Morgan said it was satisfying to win the school’s first tournament title. It will be Pepperdine’s second NCAA tournament appearance. “We’ve been here three of four years,” Morgan said of the seniors. “For us to get the championship, that makes our season.”

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Women’s NCAA Automatic Bids

* Pepperdine (23-7) West Coast

* Chattanooga (23-7), Southern

* Harvard (20-5), Ivy

* Liberty (23-7), Big South

* Wis. Green Bay (24-6), Horizon

* Vanderbilt (27-6)