It was a disappointing night for Pepperdine’s men’s basketball team losing 82-79 in double overtime to the NAIA Masters College Mustangs in their season opening exhibition game on Friday night.
The game had a promising start with the Waves winning the opening tip and scoring the first basket. They continued to energize the crowd with a three pointer by Mike Hornbuckle putting them up by five in the first minute.
This appeared to be a preview for what the game had in store. Midway through the first half the Waves led 25-16 and at halftime were leading 37-30. The Waves shot the lights out going into halftime at 63 percent far superior to the 33 percent of the Mustangs.
The start of the second half also lent itself to the excitement of Pepperdine fans when Keion Bell slammed it home off a steal made shortly after the start of the second half.
But the Mustangs were able to bring the game within five after they applied a full court press with about fourteen minutes left to go in the second half.
The game became even closer with five minutes left to go when the Mustangs tied the score at 55. A turnover by the Waves allowed the Mustangs to take their first lead of the game shortly after.
Ryan Holmes scored with 1:59 left to play once again giving the Waves the lead but the Mustangs held tough and forced overtime with the scores at 61.
The first overtime started out just as promising as regulation did for Pepperdine. They were able to attain a three point lead with 1:50 left in overtime but the Mustangs three pointer with 1:31 left brought the game back to a tie.
The first overtime ended in a tie score of 67-67 when the Mustangs who had the final possession were unable to convert.
The Mustangs began to heat up at the start of the second overtime scoring two quick three pointers to put themselves up 73-69. They led by as many as five during the second overtime but free throws by Bell with 2:32 left brought the game within one.
Despite the best efforts of the Waves they were unable to hold off the Mustangs and ended the game with a disappointing 82-79 loss to the Mustangs.
“I don’t worry about these kinds of exhibition games to be honest head coach Tom Asbury said after the game. We need to improve on everything mainly defense but with as young as these guys are we are going to go through some growing pains.”
Sophomore swingman Mychel Thompson lead the Waves with 23 points while the freshman standout Bell come off the bench to contribute 21.
The Waves next and final exhibition game is Tuesday Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. against San Diego Christian in the Firestone Fieldhouse.