MALIBU, CA. — A high-intensity match-up resulted in a convincing 77-64 victory on Jan. 19 for the women’s basketball team (10-8, 5-2), who finished 2-0 against San Francisco this season.
Junior forward Kelsey Patrick led the team in scoring with 18 points and three rebounds. Senior forward Skye Barnett followed close behind with a solid 14 point, eight rebound performance.
The Waves put the first points up on the scoreboard thanks to a steal converted into a lay-in by Barnett.
Their hot start would carry on throughout the half. The closest the Dons ever got to the Waves was a four-point spread with five minutes left. From there, the team pulled away, 42-30, with a sweet end to the half.
With seven seconds remaining, senior guard Lauren Bell stole the ball and sprinted down the court for an easy lay-up.
Besides the team’s domination in steals (they had eight to the Dons’ zero), sharp three-point shooting highlighted the first half. Patrick and senior guard Katie Menton led the team hitting two shots each from downtown. Overall, the team shot a cool 62.5 percent.
In the second half, San Francisco proved they weren’t messing around, jumping out with a 9-2 run. However, another three by Menton was enough to swing the momentum back around, allowing the Waves to regain control of the game.
The Pepperdine squad matched the intensity of the Dons with head coach Julie Rousseau leading the way. Rousseau continuously urged her team to push the tempo and also added a full court press.
Her upbeat second half game plan ended up being exactly what the Waves needed to push ahead. It translated into steals, fast breaks and free throws.
While the Waves set up a clinic in the first half with their hot three-point shooting, they managed to take over the second half in a more efficient manner, with an increase in high-percentage shots around the basket.
Next up, the Wave’s face St. Mary’s for the first time in an away game on Jan. 21.
Looking ahead to tough key future match-ups, the women’s basketball team faces off against BYU at the Firestone Fieldhouse on Feb. 2, and Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash. on Feb. 18.
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