LAS VEGAS – The Pepperdine men's basketball team pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating Santa Clara 78-76 during the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday night. The ninth-seeded Waves, improving to 13-21 overall, will now advance to face top-seeded Saint Mary's on March 10 at 6 p.m. PT.
Moe Odum was the star of the night, recording his third consecutive double-double with 19 points and 13 assists. With this performance, he made history, becoming the first NCAA DI player to achieve three conference tournament games with at least 15 points and 10 assists. Odum complemented his scoring with five rebounds, showcasing his all-around game.
Stefan Todorovic also made significant contributions, scoring 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, and provided key plays, including tying the game with a pivotal three-pointer. Meanwhile, Dovydas Butka and Boubacar Coulibaly added 13 and 11 points respectively, contributing to the Waves' effective offense.
The game began intensely, with Santa Clara quickly establishing their dominance, hitting eight three-pointers during the first half. They surged to as much as a 13-point lead, with Tyeree Bryan scoring early to give the Broncos a 6-0 head start. Brenton Knapper sparked the momentum for Santa Clara, scoring eight straight points during their 21-8 run, pushing the score to 21-8.
A spirited 10-2 run by the Waves brought the score closer, illustrating their resilience. Odum's initial three-pointer helped fuel their comeback, and by halftime, Santa Clara held only a slight 40-36 lead.
After halftime, Santa Clara again looked to extend their lead, but Pepperdine fought back. The Waves, improving their shooting from the field to 51% against Santa Clara's 41%, capitalized on turnovers and managed to cause 13 turnovers from the Broncos—a key factor contributing to their victory.
"This was one of those nights where every play mattered, and we just found our rhythm at the right time," Odum noted post-game, highlighting the Waves' ability to execute under pressure.
Despite the Broncos hitting two threes during the latter part of the game, the Waves executed perfectly, bringing the score to 66-58 after eight unanswered points. The Waves' strong defense allowed them to take control, and they managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
Santa Clara fought back fiercely, with Bryan and Knapper each scoring key three-pointers to draw the game closer, but the Waves held their composure. A last-second attempt from Bryan went wide, sealing the game for Pepperdine.
After the game, the defeat was hard on the Broncos, yet they acknowledged their solid effort throughout the season. "Despite our shooting struggles, the team fought back, and I couldn't be prouder of how we handled the pressure," remarked Bryan.
With this victory, Pepperdine is gearing up for what promises to be another intense match against Saint Mary's. The Waves are riding high on this momentum, leveraging their surprising success to fuel their ambition. Coach's remarks revealed confidence as they look forward to facing the top seed: "We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain from this tournament. We will keep pushing forward," he stated.
Stay tuned as Pepperdine continues their Cinderella story through the WCC Tournament, flourishing as underdogs against the odds.