LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Pepperdine Waves pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the West Coast Conference Tournament, defeating the Santa Clara Broncos 78-76 on Sunday night. This thrilling quarterfinal match showcased the Waves' resilience as they overcame significant odds to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Leading the charge for Pepperdine was point guard Moe Odum, who finished the game with 19 points and 13 assists. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his ability to control the floor and make key plays when his team needed them most. "It feels great to pull off this upset. We showed heart and fought till the end," said Odum after the game, clearly elated with the victory.
Pepperdine, which entered the tournament as the ninth seed with a dismal overall record of 13-21 and just four Wins within their conference, appeared to be facing insurmountable challenges. The Waves previously advanced through the tournament by defeating the No. 8 seed and the No. 5 seed, claiming victory with scores of 86-73 and 77-73, respectively. Their unexpected run carried them to face Santa Clara, who was the fourth seed and greatly favored to win.
Santa Clara, boasting a record of 20-12, had not played since March 1 due to their placement on the tournament's tri-fold bye, which left them well-rested but perhaps lacking momentum. Led by Tyeree Bryan, who scored 18 points, the Broncos were seen as the clear favorites, expected to advance past the Waves with ease. The sportsbooks had them at -1600, yet Pepperdine's tenacity and strategic play proved otherwise.
The game took shape as Pepperdine initially struggled, trailing 40-36 at halftime. The Broncos capitalized on early scoring, maintaining control of the pace. Yet, as the second half unfolded, Odum orchestrated a pivotal 7-0 run, putting Pepperdine up 58-56 with just under 10 minutes remaining. His precision passing opened up opportunities, allowing other players like Stefan Todorovic, who also scored 19 points and hit three 3-pointers, to contribute significantly to the team’s score.
The closing minutes were nothing short of nail-biting for the fans at Orleans Arena. Zion Bethea secured two clutch free throws with only three seconds left on the clock, pushing Pepperdine’s lead to five points at 78-73. Although Bryan managed to sink a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Santa Clara, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Odum’s impressive play during this match followed his previous performances, where he scored 31 points with 11 assists against Portland and 17 points with 10 assists against Oregon State. The young guard’s evolution this postseason drastically shifted the narrative around Pepperdine’s capabilities.
Next, Pepperdine will face the No. 1 seed Saint Mary's on March 10, 2025, in the semifinals, where they will look to continue their improbable Cinderella story. After such resounding victory against Santa Clara, they have transformed from underdogs to contenders, now playing with confidence and ambition.
Santa Clara, on the other hand, must reflect on this unexpected defeat and how they let the game slip away. Although they remain competitive throughout the season, their inability to close out this match raises questions about the consistency of their play under tournament pressure.
With the wave of momentum now behind Pepperdine, the upcoming semi-final promise to be another thrilling contest, as they strive to compete for championship glory against the top-seeded Gaels of Saint Mary's, who will certainly not underestimate the resurgent Waves after witnessing this latest upset.