By Lauren Gustus
Sports Editor
LMU almost played David to Pepperdine’s Goliath on Saturday evening as the Lions kicked it up a notch, and hoped they could even the loss handed to them by the Waves three days before.
In an 89-79 victory that was much closer than the final tally, Terrance Johnson was ready. “I knew they were going to come at us hard, at their house,” Johnson said. “They are our rivals,” Johnson said.
When the Dons from USF travel south to Firestone Fieldhouse tomorrow evening, they too may be looking to avenge the 74-68 loss Coach Paul Westphal’s team inflicted at War Memorial Gym three weeks ago.
With the Waves sitting alone at the top of the WCC standings, this “underdog versus frontrunner” theme is bound to be replayed for the duration of the season as teams begin the second half of conference play.
San Francisco has been hot lately. The team is riding a three-game winning streak and has a solid grasp on third place in the WCC standings.
It would be a huge step forward for the Dons if they were to knock Pepperdine off its first-place pedestal.
The Waves take on St. Mary’s 24 hours later, also in Firestone Fieldhouse, and the consecutive games at home should be a test for Westphal’s club.
Westphal noted that LMU was the last local team the Waves had to dominate to claim the “best in the city” title.
“We can officially say we own L.A.,” Westphal said. The Waves beat Long Beach State, UCLA and USC earlier in the season.
Guard Craig Lewis made a crucial play with less than five minutes to play at LMU on Saturday that was a turning point for the Waves, even as many in the Lion’s Gertsen Pavilion protested.
Lewis took a charge under the Lions’ basket that LMU disputed as a block. The call gave the Waves the ball and put them ahead 76-73 on a shot by forward Jimmy Miggins. Miggins is the Waves’ leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game.
“I thought it was a real impressive effort,” Westphal said of Miggins’ play. “He had twelve rebounds and he was in pain.” Miggins pulled a muscle in his rib and hadn’t practiced during the week.
Lewis made a three with 2:54 left to play that put Pepperdine up by six, 79-73, but the Waves still weren’t able to close the deal as forward Glen McGowan notched his fifth foul of the evening. LMU’s Greg Lakey hit two from the foul line to put LMU four back, at 79-75.
Miggins made a couple of free throws at 2:11 and that put the Waves up six, at 81-75.
Guard Devin Montgomery made a hustle play to pick off an LMU pass and fed Miggins for the dunk, which gave the Waves the extra insurance they needed and put them up 83-75 with just 1:57 left.
Although the Lions tried to play catch-up by fouling as the clock counted down, the Waves made their last eight free throw attempts and didn’t allow the Lions to roar back into the game.
Pepperdine finished off a tough home game in front of a less than friendly crowd with a score of 89-79.
In the face of LMU taunts that Pepperdine should go home because it may miss the school’s curfew, Waves fans tried to hang with Lions as they directed a few unmentionables of their own toward the student section.
The jeers were just a fraction of what the Waves will hear when they head north to the Bulldogs’ Pit in Gonzaga next weekend.
“The last five minutes of the game, they made plays and we didn’t make plays,” said LMU Head Coach Steve Aggers, “You’ve got to give them credit. That’s why they’re undefeated in league play.”
The Waves trailed by one at the half, 38-37, as the Lions pulled down nine offensive rebounds, which translated into crucial second chance points for LMU.
Pepperdine has won the last five games during which it has trailed at the half. Terrance Johnson had 21 points on the evening, and kept the Waves in the contest during the first half
Center Cedric Suitt went down early in the first half and aggravated his already sore back, and spent a good part of the game on the bench. Pepperdine played without the sultan of swat, and instead went with a smaller lineup that featured a still-strong McGowan in his place.
On Friday, Westphal will play for his 100th collegiate victory. Before coaching in the NBA, Westphal headed up programs at Grand Canyon College in Phoenix and at Southwestern Bible College, also in Phoenix.
“We know every game is super important,” said Westphal, “We approach every game with the same mindset. When you beat somebody they don’t like it.”
February 07, 2002