DEREK SEDAM
Staff Writer
Pepperdine’s season came to an end sooner than it hoped.
With only eight players dressed due to injury, the men’s basketball team faced an uphill battle against the University of San Diego. The Toreros, with a home crowd of 5,100 on hand, easily defeated the Waves 73-55.
Freshman forwards Tyrone Shelly, Malcolm Thomas and Mychel Thompson ended the season on a good note each scoring in double figures for the Waves.
Junior guards Ryan Holmes and Rico Tucker missed the game due to knee injuries. The significant loss lead to USD’s guards taking advantage of open threes and uncontested layups throughout the second half.
“The two times we played (the Waves) before they gave us some fits with the way they play,” said San Diego coach Bill Grier.
Sophomore guard De’Jon Jackson led the Toreros with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Freshman forward contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds in the win for USD.
For the Waves, after their dramatic overtime win against Portland in the first round, the loss to USD was a turning point for the program as well as the end of the season.
“I’ve never been more proud of a group that I’ve been associated with,” interim coach Eric Bridgeland said. “They faced more adversity in two months than most teams face in four years. As a staff, we tried to give these guys the best send-off we could.”
For Bridgeland, it marks the end of his tenure here in Malibu after taking over for Vance Walberg two months ago.
“My immediate plans for the future are to have a kid,” Bridgeland said smirking. “As for coaching, I will take a few weeks off after the birth and then see what opportunities are out there.”
03-12-2008
