By Lauren Gustus
Sports Editor
In a contest that was every bit as close as the final score indicated, the lady Waves clinched an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament last weekend at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Waves fans got their money’s worth, as a total of 14 points were scored by both teams in the final 18 seconds.
On Sunday afternoon, Pepperdine beat Santa Clara 81-77 and could not have done so without the contributions of senior center Nadja Morgan. She had a double-double for the Waves, scoring 22 points and bringing down 13 rebounds. Perhaps her most crucial two points coming on a pair of free throws with just two seconds left that gave the Waves the extra security they needed.
The victory gave the lady Waves their first-ever WCC Tournament title, but not without a little excitement.
The Waves were up by six, 75-69, with 0:18 remaining after a pair of free throws by Shandrika Lee and seemed confident that they would be cutting down the net as champions in just a few short minutes.
But Santa Clara guard Becki Ashbaugh had other plans as she came up the court and buried an improbable running three that saw her release point at somewhere near mid-court. Stunned, the Waves found themselves clutching a slim 75-72 lead with only 12 seconds left to play.
Santa Clara called a 30-second time out, after which they immediately fouled Lee. She was 2-2 from the line, and the Waves were up by five, 77-72.
Lee then returned the favor and fouled Ashbaugh while she carried the ball upcourt, and she made both of her tosses to pull Santa Clara back within three, 77-74.
Pepperdine center Shannon Mayberry connected on two free throws, and Ashbaugh converted on another three-pointer to make the score 78-77 in favor of the Waves with only four seconds left to play.
In a mad dash to regain possession, Santa Clara fouled Lee and Morgan again, and combined the duo went 3-4 from the line, securing the 81-77 victory for the Waves.
Damaris Hinojosa was selected as the tournament’s “Most Valuable Player.”
WCC Tournament highlights
GAME 1
Pepperdine 68, Gonzaga 64
Pepperdine survived a scare from the last-place Bulldogs in round one action of the tournament.
Senior Nadja Morgan had 20 points and 12 rebounds to help the lady Waves to victory.
Turnovers were a key factor in the game, as Pepperdine had 27 in the contest, 20 in the first half alone.
A two-point lead for the Waves, 66-64, with just 7.8 seconds left was strengthened by senior forward Sarah Richen when she converted two free throws. She made the score 68-64 and gave Pepperdine some much needed breathing room, along with the win necessary to advance to the second game of the tournament.
GAME 2
Pepperdine 82, San Francisco 77
Damaris Hinojosa had a team-leading 22 points to help the Waves to a hard-fought vicotry over the Dons from San Francisco in game two of the tournament.
The win put the lady Waves into the championship game on Sunday afternoon.
A Hinojosa jumper with 1:03 remaining made the score 78-77 and put Pepperdine ahead for good.
The Dons played the foul game after Hinojosa’s basket, but it backfired and the Waves went on to victory.
Carey Sauer had a team-high 17 points for San Francisco.
March 14, 2002