WCC Record Remains Perfect for Pepperdine

After spending two hours watching his team throw enough bricks to build a city block, Pepperdine Coach Mark Trakh could take solace in one thing.

The Waves can’t play any worse and win, as they pulled out a 51-46 overtime victory against host Loyola Marymount on Saturday at Gersten Pavilion.

And if they can, Trakh doesn’t want to see it.

Pepperdine is 5-0 in the West Coast Conference and 13-5 overall despite shooting 24.6% (14 of 57) and sharing only eight assists. But, with the scored tied 43-43 at the end of regulation, the Waves got the lead for good on a 10-foot jumper by Nicole Funn with 3:10 to play. And Tamara McDonald, who otherwise had a forgettable night, shooting two for 17 and committing five turnovers, made four free throws in the last minute for the win.

“Loyola did a heck of a job,” Trakh said. “They outcoached us, executed better and played harder. But somehow our kids gutted it out.”

McDonald, who made nine of 10 free throws, led Pepperdine with 15 points.

The Lions (10-8, 2-3), who had 14 points from reserve Christine Auld, have lost three straight conference games, and this one could haunt them, considering they led most of the game.

But Loyola did not shoot much better than Pepperdine, making 16 of 59 shots and none in overtime. The Lions were outrebounded by the Waves, 53-42, and that, as much as anything, kept Pepperdine hanging around long enough to steal the victory at the end.

Leading 28-24 at the half, Loyola had many opportunities to break the game open. Pepperdine started off the second half missing its first 15 shots before Kelsey Ball finally got one to drop at the 10:25 mark. But the Lions’ shooting was nearly as cold, and Loyola led only 34-26.

Mike Terry

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Lindsay Taylor scored 11 points and Jess Hansen had 10 in No. 21 UC Santa Barbara’s 65-49 win over host Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The Gauchos (13-3, 6-1 Big West Conference) never trailed as they won their eighth game in nine tries.

Santa Barbara shot 39% from the floor (22 of 56), but held Cal Poly to 26% (14 of 55).

Anatero Uiagalelei scored 11 for the Mustangs (7-9, 3-3).

Santa Barbara scored the final eight points of the half for a 32-23 lead. The Gauchos stretched the margin to 22 when a three-pointer from Kristen Mann with 8:45 to go put Santa Barbara ahead, 52-30.

Cal Poly got no closer than 14 points for the rest of the game.

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OTHER TOP 25 GAMES

No. 2 Connecticut (18-0, 6-0 Big East) extended its record winning streak to 57 with a 76-55 victory over host Pittsburgh (9-8, 1-5).... Despite missing her first two shots on “Kendra Wecker Day,” the Kansas State forward went on to score 27 points and grab 11 rebounds to lead the No. 3 Wildcats (18-1, 5-0 Big 12) past No. 17 Texas (12-5, 5-1) 71-69 at Manhattan, Kan.... Tiffany Webb scored 24 points and Iesha Gray had 18 as Wright State (6-11, 4-3 Horizon League) beat No. 16 Wisconsin Green Bay (16-3, 7-1) 73-70 at Fairborn, Ohio, ending the Phoenix’s 10-game winning streak.... No. 11 Louisiana Tech (14-2, 7-0 Western Athletic Conference) never trailed at Ruston, La., as it beat Rice (6-10, 3-4) for its 12th victory in a row.... Courtney LaVere scored 20 points and made a key free throw in the final seconds to help Notre Dame (11-6, 3-3 Big East) to a 58-56 win over its host, No. 20 Villanova (14-3, 4-2).... Shalicia Hurns had 13 points and 17 rebounds and No. 23 Rutgers (10-5, 4-2) beat St. John’s 70-64(7-11, 1-6 Big East) in double overtime at Piscataway, N.J.