Waves all bark, no bite against the Bulldogs

DAVID NAKAGAMI
Assistant Sports Editor

The Pepperdine men’s basketball team finished last in the West Coast Conference last season, and it is on the fast track to reclaiming this unenviable title again this year.

The Waves dropped their conference opener at home against Portland on Saturday, 82-78. Two days later, in a nationally televised game in front of thousands of home fans, the Waves were blown out by returning conference champion and perennial powerhouse Gonzaga, 92-57.

Pepperdine hoped to open up the 2008 conference schedule against the Pilots on a positive note. However, Portland raced out to a 39-30 lead by halftime, shooting 40 percent from the field, including 8-17 from long range. Pepperdine put forth a more convincing effort in the latter half, mustering 48 points on 47.1 percent accuracy from the floor. However, it was all for naught, as the Pilots were able to hold off a late surge by the Waves and seal the win.

Freshman Tyrone Shelley led all scorers with 23 points. Teammates Jason Walberg, a senior, and Rico Tucker, a junior, each chipped in 14 points in the losing cause. Freshman forward Malcolm Thomas grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and added 8 points.

As a team, the Waves shot 19-20 from the free-throw line. However, Pepperdine was outrebounded 17-10 on the offensive boards, giving the Pilots many second and third chances to accumulate points.

The hype leading up to the Monday-night matchup against Gonzaga proved to be much more exciting than the game itself. The Waves immediately fell behind, unable to find the basket against a swarming Zags defense. The Bulldogs were able to pick apart the Pepperdine protection, penetrating the post for effortless lay-ups and thundering dunks.

Gonzaga shot an impressive 61.8 percent in the first half, putting up 50 points before halftime to the Waves’ 27.

The second half was more of the same, with the Zags adding 42 points on 54.8 percent shooting.

With the opponents removing their starters in the second half, Pepperdine was able to improve its offensive numbers. The Waves finished with 57 points on 36.9 percent shooting from the field.

While four Bulldogs scored in double digits, only Shelley did so for the Waves, with 15 points. Shelley was also a defensive force, ripping 4 steals and stuffing 4 shots. Fellow freshman Thomas added 8 points and 7 boards.

Junior Mike Hornbuckle recorded 9 points for the orange and blue. As a team, the Waves failed to get to the charity stripe at all in the first half and shot 3-4 from the line in the second half. Gonzaga, on the other hand, shot 11-20 from the line over the course of the game.

The contest was much deeper than a mere competition between two teams. It displayed just how far Pepperdine has to go to be competitive in the WCC.

“It’s going to take time, patience, and a lot of hard work,” Walberg said. “We’ve got a lot to learn.”

These differences were visible to the players on the court, as well.

“I know what that level takes now,” said freshman Gus Clardy. “It’s a whole different level.”

With two losses in the past week, the Waves dropped to an overall record of 6-12, with a conference mark of 0-2.

Their schedule does not get any easier, as Pepperdine visits Saint Mary’s (14-2) on Saturday. The Waves then travel to Santa Clara to battle last year’s No.-2 WCC seed Broncos on Monday.

01-17-2008