Garrett Wait
Sports Editor
The Pepperdine women’s basketball team couldn’t quite complete their upset bid against the Gonzaga University Bulldogs. However, the Waves managed to bounce back against Portland University to avoid losing ground to the teams in the conference. The Waves get a chance to leapfrog a couple teams this weekend as they host Saint Mary’s College and Santa Clara University.
Against Gonzaga, Pepperdine had the tough assignment of stopping the team with the longest winning streak in women’s basketball. The Bulldogs hadn’t lost in their past 16 games, including their past seven West Coast Conference contests. Pepperdine put them to the test, but fell short 61-51.
The Waves kept it close for most of the first half, trading baskets before going cold from the field. Gonzaga went on a streak to end the first 20 minutes and put themselves up by 10 at the half, 32-22.
Pepperdine came out in the second half looking to get back on track and possibly make a comeback against the WCC’s best team.
Pepperdine cut Gonzaga’s lead to just four points with four minutes left in the game, but were unable to complete the comeback as they ended up scoring just four points in the rest of the game.
“I think we came out ready to play but they jumped out to an early lead,” said sophomore guard Lauren Wenski. “But as the game progressed, we were able to cut it down to five because we realized their weaknesses and were able to take advantage of them.”
Leading the Waves in scoring was senior guard Syreeta Stafford, who had 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Stafford and freshman guard Daphanie Kennedy, who scored 11 points, were the only Waves in double figures as Pepperdine shot 34.5 percent from the field and just 12.5 percent from behind the three-point line.
Pepperdine senior forward Jennifer Lacy, the WCC’s leading scorer, was held to a season-low five points on 2-for-12 shooting from the field after getting into foul trouble. The Bulldog defense smothered her every time she touched the ball, and kept her off the glass as she notched just three rebounds.
The Waves’ close game against the league’s best inspired the team to a strong victory over the league’s worst team, Portland on Saturday. Pepperdine beat the Pilots in every aspect of the game as they went on to claim a 68-59 win.
“Before the Portland game, we talked about how we had improved tremendously as a team as the season has progressed,” Wenski said.“We just talked about executing our offense and really paid a lot of attention to our defense.”
Though Pepperdine allowed the Pilots to stay close early in the second half, they only allowed one Portland field goal during a six-minute stretch late in the game. The Waves dominated the glass, holding a 51-30 advantage on the boards.
Lacy took out her leftover frustration from the Gonzaga game on the Portland defenders as she led the Waves with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Stafford and sophomore Jasmane Clarendon contributed 12 points apiece and were the only other Waves in double figures.
Pepperdine’s next two games will come against WCC rivals Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara. The Broncos sit a half-game in front of the Waves in the WCC standings while the Gaels are on game behind Pepperdine.
“These next two games are very, very important because they will determine the standings in conference tourney which begins in two weeks,” Wenski said. “To get a second seed, we need to win the next three game, and it starts with these two.
The last time Pepperdine and Santa Clara played, the Waves dominated the Broncos, winning 80-65. However, the outcome against Saint Mary’s was a little less favorable for the Waves as the Gaels beat Pepperdine, 74-64.
Tip-off for the Santa Clara game is scheduled for 7 tonight and the Saint Mary’s game will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
02-17-2005
