Johnson’s 21 Not Enough for Pepperdine

Terrance Johnson scored 21 points but Pepperdine fell to Santa Clara, 73-61, in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball game Sunday.

Jim Howell’s 19 points helped Santa Clara (12-11, 3-7 WCC) end a losing streak at four. The Broncos also ended a home losing streak to the Waves at four.

The Waves (13-11, 5-6) lead the WCC in scoring but were had their lowest point total since losing to Utah, 77-61, Dec. 20.

Pepperdine was held to 37% shooting, its worst performance in 12 games.

Santa Clara produced its best offensive effort since a 77-71 victory over Princeton on Dec. 28, and shot 54%, the first time in 12 games that the Broncos have shot better than 48%.

Pepperdine closed within 51-49 but Santa Clara went on a 14-4 run to regain control. Scott Borchart scored seven of his 11 points in that span.

Santa Clara led by as many as nine points in the early going, taking a 31-22 lead on Alex Kargbo’s jumper. The Waves responded with a 9-0 run to tie the score.

After Johnson made a three-point shot with 1:53 left in the first half to make it 31-31, the Broncos scored the final five points to take a 36-31 halftime lead.

Alex Acker scored 16 points for Pepperdine.