By Erica Sigmon
Staff Writer
A heartbreaking loss proved only to provide encouragement on the road to the championship.
Sophomore guard Shanell Law led the Waves to a resounding 78-57 victory over St. Mary’s Gaels just one night after the team suffered its first conference loss of the season.
Pepperdine came up short Friday night against the Dons of San Francisco, 71-61.
The Waves improved their overall record to 14-6, 6-1 in West Coast Conference action, leaving them tied for first with Santa Clara.
Against the Gaels, Law led the attack by scoring a team-high 17 points.
She even grabbed six rebounds playing from her point guard position.
Continuing her consistent play, junior guard Tamara McDonald followed closely behind her teammate, scoring 15 points while sophomore forward Kelli Spencer and Ball each contributed 10 points to the final score.
The Waves jumpstarted the game leading 20-4 and continued to dominate in
every aspect of the contest. In the second half, the Waves consistently held a double-digit lead.
Pepperdine shot 41.7 percent and held the Gaels to a mere 34.7 percent. The Waves controlled the rebounds and played solid defense, forcing 22 turnovers.
The Waves came out and played with the determination and motivation that was not present in the previous game.
“We just knew that we had to step up and prove to everybody that we can still do it,” Ball said.
Fellow teammates agree that the determining factor in the game was their motivation to prove the San Francisco loss was not going to be a recurring outcome.
“It was a combination of losing the first game and a very big dislike for St. Mary’s,” McDonald said. “We look at them as more of our rival than LMU or Gonzaga.”
The coaching staff agrees the girls were fired up from the previous night’s loss.
“There was a higher level of intensity,” Head Coach Mark Trakh said. “They did a good job bouncing back from the loss.”
It would seem as if the loss to San Francisco would put a damper on the remainder of the season, but the women disagree.
Even though the Waves didn’t accomplish their initial goal of becoming undefeated in WCC, the Waves still strive to be the No. 1 seed.
“We lost one of our goals,” Ball said. “We can still be number one in WCC, we’re just going to try and forget that game.”
That game, coming off a five-game winning streak in WCC play, was the Waves’ first taste of defeat in conference.
Senior guard Tamara Mc-Donald dominated the scoreboard for Pepperdine in the loss, dropping in 16.
Junior forward Nicole Funn added 15 points for the Waves and led the team in rebounding with eight boards.
Despite four players scoring in the double digits, the Waves had trouble putting their shots in the hoop.
The Waves converted only 29.7 percent of their field goals and made only 50 percent of their free throws.
“It was just a really bad shooting night,” freshman guard Alicia Komaki said.
The coaching staff agrees.
“It was like there was a lid on the basket and nothing would fall,” Trakh said.
San Francisco held a 24-17 advantage at half. With 4:10 left in the game, McDonald was able to bring Pepperdine within five points of the Lady Dons, but the Waves were unable to edge their opponents.
Friday night proved to be a reality check for the Waves.
“Our team wasn’t focused,” Ball said. “It was just one of those nights that you can’t explain.”
McDonald had no trouble explaining why she thought the night ended in defeat.
“We weren’t as hungry,” McDonald said. “We got a little cocky. We got away from what we’re used to doing to win.”
Assistant Coach Derrik Wynn said there was a lesson to be learned from the San Francisco game.
“We need to come out and compete hard every night to repeat as champions,” Wynn said. “This was a humbling game.”
The Waves’ next goal is to wrap up WCC play with only one defeat and become WCC champions for their second consecutive year.
Pepperdine goes on the road this Thursday and Friday to play the University of Portland and Gonzaga.
“We’re looking for a sweep in the Northwest,” Wynn said. “It’s going to be one of our toughest trips. We’ve beat them at home, but it’s tougher on the road.”
The girls realize the intensity of their upcoming road trip as well.
“It will be a tough road trip,” McDonald said. “We’ve got to be focused. Both teams play so hard at their house.”
The Waves’ upcoming road trip will undoubtedly be challenging, but even more so for the newcomers on the team.
“I’m excited,” Komaki said. “I heard it’s tough but it’ll be quite an experience.”
February 06, 2003