DEREK SEDAM
Staff Writer
After last week’s come-from-behind win against Portland, consecutive wins was just what the men’s basketball team needed. Heading into the last stretch of West Coast Conference play, the Waves held off a late comeback effort by Santa Clara to win 64-58 in front of 2,000 at the Firestone Fieldhouse.
Junior guard Rico Tucker had a monster game against the Broncos, scoring a team-high 19 points, with the game-ending dunk in the final seconds to capture Pepperdine’s third victory in the WCC. Tucker’s game, which included 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, overshadowed the astounding effort by Santa Clara center John Bryant.
Bryant, watched by NBA scouts at the game, had a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, including 5 blocks while shooting a perfect 11-for-11 from the field.
“We came ready to play tonight,” freshman forward Malcolm Thomas said.
Thomas battled inside with Bryant all game, and still came up with 11 points and 8 rebounds.
“Bryant is a huge kid, it was a fight all night down there,” Thomas said.
The Waves won despite only shooting 37.5 percent to the Broncos’ blistering 57.1 percent from the field. 18 offensive rebounds and 22 turnovers by the Broncos caused by pressure defense made second-chance points easy for the Waves and hard to come by for Santa Clara.
After the win, the Homecoming Weekend spirit overwhelmed a few students (brought on by Kenny G’s National Anthem and halftime performance), who rushed the court as the horn sounded.
“I haven’t rushed the court since I’ve been here,” senior Darnell Brisco said. “I’m happy it came against the Broncos and on Homecoming.”
“We’re starting to form an identity with this team,” said Pepperdine interim coach Eric Bridgeland. “(The players) believe and they deserve every win they get.”
Monday, the players got the rematch they had been waiting for since Jan. 19 against Saint Mary’s. The Waves nearly pulled off the upset in Moraga while coping with the resignation of Vance Walberg.
The Gaels, now the No.-21 team in the nation, didn’t get the news about a rematch, and dominated Pepperdine with an unbelievable shooting display, 100-64.
The Gaels were a force on defense as well, proving to be too big and too quick in the first half as the Waves couldn’t get a shot off. On offense, Saint Mary’s hit 10 three-pointers and shot 65.4 percent in the first half to take a 53-23 lead.
A short run by the Waves to start the second half brought the crowd to life, but soon the Gaels started trading their three-pointers for the Waves’ field goals and opened up their lead to 35 halfway through the second half.
Guards Todd Golden and Carlin Hughes iced the game, hitting three three-pointers each in the second half. The Gaels hit a school record 17 three-pointers and shot 58.6 percent for the game. Six players reached double figures.
Thomas had another double-double for Pepperdine (9-18, 3-8 West Coast Conference) and continues to make his candidacy for WCC Freshman of the Year (13 points, 9 rebounds per game).
For the Waves, it was their last home game of the season, along with senior guard Tyler Carr’s. Carr started and scored on the first play the Waves ran. He continued to provide energy throughout the game, and was rewarded with numerous student chants, pleading for Bridgeland to put the senior back in.
“It’s been a rough year for both me and the team, but I’m thankful for the fans support tonight,” Carr said. “It was a great way to go out with my friends and family watching.”
“We gave our hearts to this game,” said junior guard Ryan Holmes, who finished with 14 points. “We played extremely hard against both Santa Clara and Saint Mary’s. We’re a little banged up and we’ll come back Thursday to practice and get ready for Loyola Marymount.”
Wednesday night the players met with new head coach Tom Asbury, who will take over at the end of the season. Asbury will not be attending the rest of the Waves’ games this season, but the rivalry against LMU still looms this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Westchester. The game will be broadcast live on College Sports TV.
02-21-2008
