Team loses two, prepares for third home game

The men’s basketball team had a disappointing loss in their first conference game of the season at Firestone Fieldhouse.

The men took on Pacific Friday night and lost by only three points in double-overtime. 

The Waves made a strong comeback after trailing the entire game, but were unable to pull through with a victory.

Down by 10 with a little more than four minutes left to play, the Waves scored 10 of the last 12 points of the game to send it into overtime, which included a tip-in by junior forward Mychel Thompson with 4.7 seconds left in regulation. 

Sophomore guard Keion Bell lead the team in multiple areas.  He achieved his fifth career double-double, leading the team in scoring with 20 points and rebounding with 10.  Thirteen of his points came in the final eight minutes, helping the Waves get to overtime, but unfortunately he fouled out with 2:59 left in the first overtime. 

Just as they did during the game, the Waves trailed at the end of the first overtime period, 60-57, but a three-pointer by sophomore guard Dane Suttle Jr. with 51.9 seconds left forced a second overtime.  Suttle was the second leading scorer with 13 points.

Junior forward Gus Glardy, who saw limited playing time last year, gave the Waves a two-point lead in the second overtime after a put-back with 1:34 left.

A layup by Pacific followed by a freethrow with 11 seconds left in the second overtime put the Tigers up 67-64.

The Waves were unable to get off a three point shot to tie the game and the buzzer sounded with a final score of 67-64, Tigers. 

The Waves never led by more than two points during overtime and struggled from the free throw line, shooting only 19 for 33, only 58 percent.

The Waves had another disappointing 67-58 loss to Long Beach State Tuesday night at Firestone Fieldhouse. In an effort to get more fans in attendance, free Lily’s burritos were given out to the first 300 fans at the game.

Even though they were statistically dominant in an offensive category outrebounding Long Beach 25-6, Darby says it is the team’s defense that the team relies on.

“We are a lot stronger, and I think that helps us on defense,” Darby said. “Our defense has been keeping us in a lot of games.”

Bell was again the standout player on the team, scoring a team-high 21 points.  Unfortunately he was the only Pepperdine player to reach double-digits as the team shot as cumulative 31 percent. 

Sophomore forward Taylor Darby also contributed with eight points and a valuable 10 rebounds. 

But rebounding wasn’t enough to keep the Waves in the game.  Long Beach State shot a considerably better 43 percent and forced 18 Wave turnovers. 

The men were up 31-29 at halftime after two three-pointers by Bell near the end of the first half. 

With 17:30 left to play, the Waves took their final 34-32 lead after a jump shot by Thompson.  But with a little less than 14 minutes left, the 49ers went on a 12-1 run, giving themselves their first double-digit lead of the game.  Within the final minute, Pepperdine was able to come within seven, but were unable to close the gap any further. 

The Waves’ next game is the last of their three-game homestand on Friday Nov. 20 against Cal State San Bernardino at 7 p.m., and the team has high hopes for the game.

“We are looking to get our first win against Cal State San Bernadino,” Darby said.  “We need to work on getting the ball in the basket. We go on streaks where we don’t score for a period of time.”

Next week, Pepperdine will take on UCLA at the Pauley Pavilion.

Tickets cost $25.

The games starts at 8 p.m. and students are encouraged to attend. 

The team plays at home again Jan. 9 against rival Loyola Marymount University.  Students are not expected to return to school until Jan. 10, but are allowed to move in early to attend the game. The game is at 7 p.m. following the women’s game at 4 p.m.