Pepperdine Staves Off Upset Bid

Three days after cruising to a 25-point victory, Pepperdine nearly got taken for a ride Saturday night in a rematch with emotionally charged Loyola Marymount.

But the Waves managed to stay on course in their pursuit of the West Coast Conference title, rallying from a six-point deficit in the last 12 minutes for an 89-79 victory before 2,504 at Gersten Pavilion.

Freshman guard Terrance Johnson scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, and forward Jimmy Miggins scored 10 points in the last five minutes to help Pepperdine (15-6, 8-0 in the WCC) extend its winning streak to 10 games and maintain a one-game lead over Gonzaga for first place.

Rather than blaming a letdown by his team, Pepperdine Coach Paul Westphal credited Loyola for making the right adjustments after getting blown out by the Waves, 84-59, Wednesday in Malibu.

“The main [difference] is that Loyola played so much better,” Westphal said. “I didn’t think we necessarily had a big drop-off.”

Yet Loyola (9-13, 2-6) was unable to avoid its fifth consecutive loss--and eighth in a row to the rival Waves--after leading for most of the second half. The Lions had success attacking the basket against the taller Waves and appeared headed for a possible upset after 6-foot-2 Robert Davis, who led Loyola with 18 points, dunked over 6-11 Cedric Suitt for a 64-60 Loyola lead with 8:51 to play.

Pepperdine, though, maintained its poise and defensive pressure to break the Lions. Miggins made consecutive turnaround shots in the lane, and reserve guard Craig Lewis followed with a three-point basket to give the Waves a 79-73 lead with 2:53 to play. Miggins provided the clincher with a dunk after a steal by Devin Montgomery for an 83-75 lead with 1:59 left.

Miggins had 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds despite playing with a painful injury that Westphal said was either a strained stomach muscle or bruised rib.

“I thought it was a real impressive effort by him,” Westphal said.

Lewis had 17 points, including five three-point baskets.

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Rob Fernas