Women’s Basketball
Lindsey Besecker
Sports Editor
The Pepperdine women’s basketball team started off its season with a close 60-48 loss to Love and Basketball, an exhibition team in an exhibition game Saturday at Firestone Fieldhouse.
“I thought we did well under the circumstances,” said Head Coach Julie Rousseau, referring to the team’s numerous injuries. “We’ve had only one player on our entire roster who has not missed a single practice. … We’re hopeful that these players will be back with us soon. We weren’t at full strength, and with a team of that caliber, I was pleased with our effort.”
With the numerous injuries to the 11-player Pepperdine roster, the healthy players were on the court much more than normal. Rousseau hopes there will be more healthy players soon.
“The more we get healthy, the more we will improve,” she said. “I am pleased and very optimistic about what I saw and about our future.”
Pepperdine kept a lead over Love and Basketball for the beginning of the first half, but a 10-2 run by Love and Basketball put them in the lead going into halftime. At halftime, Love and Basketball led 31-24.
Sophomore Teiosha George had 14 points and nine rebounds for Pepperdine, and sophomore Lauren Wenski scored 13 points, sinking three three-point shots.
Senior Kelli Spencer grabbed 10 rebounds on the night, and senior Jennifer Lacy added 10 points.
Love and Basketball improved to 3-0 on its tour of Southern California colleges. The team is comprised of former women college players who still live in the area.
The Waves will next take on Play Mode, another exhibition team, in another exhibition game at Firestone Fieldhouse Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Waves will then travel to Fresno on Nov. 19 to play California State University, Fresno, then will fly to Manhattan, Kan., on Nov. 21 to play Kansas State University, ranked No. 18 nationally.
Rousseau encouraged students and members of the Pepperdine and Malibu communities to come out and support the team.
Home games have been moved to 2 p.m. on Saturdays so students can come and support their team and still go out on Saturday nights.
“It’s hard enough to compete against our opponent,” Rousseau said.
“Make it easier by coming and cheering us on.”
11-11-2004
