DEREK SEDAM
Staff Writer
The men’s basketball team once again lost a close contest to the USD Toreros on Saturday night, 77-73. The Waves gave an excellent first-half performance, executing interim coach Eric Bridgeland’s offense perfectly. They led at 38-37 at half, but the Toreros shot 65.4 percent in the second-half and Brandon and Trumaine Johnson (no relation) scored 22 and 21 points respectiviley to lead USD to its tenth win in the conference.
Freshman Tyrone Shelly was finally 100 percent healthy for the Waves and it showed. Shelly scored 21 points, added six rebounds and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the line to lead the Waves. Freshman foward Malcolm Thomas and junior guards Mike Hornbuckle and Rico Tucker scored in double figures as well in the short-handed effort for the Waves.
Pepperdine now faces San Fransisco Monday to decide the fifth seed in the West Coast Conference Tournament, which takes place March 13-16 at USD. The winner will face Loyola Marymount, whom the Waves swept this season.
03-02-2008