Pepperdine Gets Even in Conference, 79-55

If this was supposed to be a rebuilding season for Pepperdine, as many thought, the Waves sent a contradictory message Saturday to the rest of the West Coast Conference.

It came in the form of a 79-55 victory over the University of San Francisco before 2,217 at Firestone Fieldhouse. Pepperdine (6-10), picked to finish near the bottom of the conference, moved into the middle of the pack in the WCC at 2-2 by completing a weekend sweep that began with Friday’s victory over San Diego.

“I wouldn’t write this team off,” San Francisco Coach Jim Brovelli said of the Waves. “They’re going to get better as they go. They’re big, strong and athletic, a very good team.”

Pepperdine outrebounded San Francisco, 42-24, and got a big effort from its bench. Led by freshman guard R.J. Powell and forwards LeRoi O’Brien and Clark James, Wave reserves combined for 37 points and 19 rebounds and ignited a 19-4 run in the first half to help build a 38-19 lead.

San Francisco (8-10, 2-3) pulled within 46-39 early in the second half, but two consecutive three-point shots by point guard Joey Ramirez snuffed the comeback. The Dons fell apart after that, scoring only two field goals in the last 13 minutes.

“We had a good week of practice, and it showed on the court,” O’Brien said. “Coach (Tony Fuller) challenged us, and we all stepped up.”

Guard Gerald Brown led six Pepperdine players in double figures with 15 points.