NICOLE ALBERTSON
Staff Writer
The Pepperdine’s women’s basketball team rose from a loss this week as it fell to San Francisco early on and turned to conquer San Diego on Saturday at the Firestone Fieldhouse.
“San Francisco had players that made big shots,” Head Coach Julie Rousseau said. “They had more intensity and we are still in a learning process. But don’t worry, we made sure to bring up the intensity for the San Diego game.”
Like most athletic teams, the Wave’s women have been struggling with multiple injured players.
“It has been pretty rough,” sophomore player Jessica Ross said. “We started out winning and then we were losing players and it brought us down. It’s a big struggle.”
But the Waves are turning the bleak situation around and trying to use it to their advantage. With so many players watching from the sidelines, the select healthy athletes are taking advantage of the extra playing time. Extended time on the court helps the remaining members improve their skills and prepare for the team’s reunion.
“We had up to seven players out at one period,” Rousseau said. “The injuries bring a lack of consistency and flow through the season.”
Freshman players Teena Wickett and Miranda Ayim tried to pick up the slack as post players bringing great contributions to the struggling team, Rousseau said.
Most of the formally injured players are coming back into motion for the closing of the season with only three regular season games left and then competing in the conference tournament.
But despite faltering due to injuries, senior players Lauren Wenski and Jasmane Clarendon are pulling through and getting ready to accept their honors at the final home game of the season this Saturday against cross-town rivals Loyola Marymount.
“The seniors are really giving their experience,” Rousseau said. “Lauren Wenski is stepping up and being a great leader. She brings great contributions to the team.”
Wenski and Clarendon are the team’s only two seniors, taking charge and putting their full efforts into the closing season. Against San Francisco, Wenski scored 19 points achieving her career high. Clarendon’s efforts to raise the score to 37-29 early in the second half helped hold off the impending defeat for Pepperdine.
Returned player, junior Daphanie Kennedy, came back to the court for the last Saturday game after being out with an injury for more than a month.
“She is bringing her experience and is a great leader,” Rousseau said. “She is very steady.”
Improving from their 64-60 loss to San Francisco, the Waves came to the court on Saturday and defeated San Diego 51-50.
“We really rose to the occasion,” Rousseau said.
Leading the game and dominating the first half, the waves caught a couple of close calls as San Diego came within five points in the second half, but ended up with a conquering win.
The Waves are taking their confident win and channeling it to send rival Loyola Marymount home this Saturday defeated. The women Waves are learning the lessons from their most recent match up with Loyola that resulted in a loss for Pepperdine, Rousseau said.
“That game had our lowest scoring output,” she said. “We are anxious to come out and do more than before. I think this time we will hold up our end of the bargain. Our healthy players will make a significant change.”
While the regular season may be coming to an end, the Pepperdine Waves will be gearing up for the post-season tournament. Entering the tournament at No. 6, the women’s basketball team is aiming to be the champions, as it will be the first time the championship game will be televised.
“We won it last year,” Ross said. “So this year we have had targets on our backs. We have beaten the top two teams but also lost to one of the bottom teams. So it should be interesting. We just have to see how everyone plays.”
In preparation for this week’s big match-up against Loyola, the team is readjusting to the reunited healthy players. Along with the continuous hard practices, they are playing more scrimmages to bring together their movements and timing.
“We are working on playing together better and building our chemistry again,” said Ross.
Rousseau said the more they play together, the better they will be at getting back together and knowing each other on the court.
A healthy starting line will have the opening tip-off Saturday at 5 p.m. preceding the sold out men’s basketball game. This game will mark the final home game for Pepperdine. Seniors Wenski and Clarendon are being honored for contributing to four years of Pepperdine history.
02-15-2007