Pepperdine Loses to Wisconsin Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. —  The difficult part for Pepperdine on Monday night was that its opponent, Wisconsin Green Bay, had history on its side.

Wisconsin Green Bay, playing in its own Pepsi Oneida Bingo and Casino Classic, had never lost a game in the tournament.

Wisconsin Green Bay still hasn’t, running its tournament record to 7-0 with a 57-49 victory over the Waves.

The victory improved Green Bay’s record this season to 3-6. The Waves fell to 2-9.

Green Bay led, 27-22, at halftime and gained a 38-29 lead on three straight three-point shots by Ryan Borowicz. But Pepperdine’s Marques Johnson responded with three straight three-pointers of his own to tie it at 38-38.

The Phoenix then opened a 46-39 lead, as Pete Wade contributed four points.

The Waves cut the gap to 48-46 after Marc McDowell scored six points on a three-point shot, a tip-in and free throw.

But the Phoenix outscored the Waves, 9-3, the rest of the way, not giving up a point until nine seconds were left in the game. Center Matt Hill, who led the Phoenix with 12 points and 10 rebounds, made four of four free throws to help sew up the win.

The Waves were led by McDowell and Johnson, who each scored 14 points.

Green Bay advances to tonight’s title game with St. Joseph’s, while Pepperdine will play Austin Peay in the consolation game.

In Monday’s other first-round game, St. Joseph’s defeated Austin Peay, 74-58. The Governors (4-3) led only 27-18 at halftime but made 18 of 27 shots from the field in the second half (66.7%) to pull away from Austin Peay (2-9).

Rashid Bey and Arthur Davis scored 13 points apiece for St. Joseph’s.