Pepperdine Stuns Portland, Advances in WCC Tournament
LAS VEGAS – In a stunning turnaround, the No. 9-seeded Pepperdine Waves routed the No. 8 Portland Pilots 86-73 in the West Coast Conference men’s basketball tournament. Trailing by 14 points late in the game, Pepperdine erupted for 46 points in the final 12 minutes, showcasing an electrifying shooting performance that saw them convert 16 of their last 18 attempts.
Moe Odum was the star of the evening, scoring 31 points with a remarkable 26 coming in the second half, including a perfect streak of nine consecutive shots. “I really can’t explain it. It’s like … I felt like I was back in high school,” said Odum, who also contributed 11 assists.
Portland led the game for the majority, entering halftime with a 38-29 edge and maintaining their advantage until Pepperdine’s explosive run began. The Waves swiftly overturned the score, taking the lead for good on a three-pointer by Stefan Todorovic at 63-61.
The defeat marks a disappointing end to Portland’s season at 12-20. The team had begun to find momentum in recent weeks but ultimately fell short against a resurgent Pepperdine squad, which improves to 11-21. Portland coach Shantay Legans confirmed he will return for a fifth season, expressing his commitment to developing the team’s young talent and integrating new players.
Pepperdine will now face No. 5 Oregon State in the third round of the tournament on Saturday. The Beavers, having previously swept the season series against the Waves, will look to contain their hot shooters, particularly Odum. Waves coach Ed Schilling expressed awareness of the upcoming challenge, acknowledging Oregon State’s size and skill.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Waves as they strive to maintain their momentum and continue their surprising run.
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