Pepperdine men’s basketball secured a 90-79 win over New Orleans on Tuesday night at Firestone Fieldhouse, bringing their season record to 3-2. Javon Cooley led the team with a career-high 23 points and seven rebounds, while Danilo Dozic contributed 21 points, including four three-pointers.
The Waves were efficient from the free throw line, converting 25 of 28 attempts. Cooley made all 12 of his free throws, including four in the final minute to help secure the victory.
Styles Phipps recorded his second consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Luka Vudragovic added 10 points off the bench.
“We were really pleased with our offensive execution,” said head coach Ed Schilling. “Our guys were very unselfish as seen with our dishing out 23 assists. Additionally, we only had six turnovers which is terrific.”
New Orleans took an early lead before Pepperdine responded with a run that gave them control for the rest of the game. The Waves maintained a steady advantage throughout the first half and held off several comeback attempts by New Orleans in the second half.
Key plays included back-to-back baskets by Yonatan Levy during a crucial stretch and timely shooting from both Cooley and Dozic in the closing minutes. Pepperdine finished with just six turnovers compared to New Orleans’ 17 and held their opponents to under 41 percent shooting.
Other contributors for Pepperdine included Pavle Stosic with six points, six rebounds, and two blocks; Stefan Cicic with four points; and Yonatan Levy with eight points and three rebounds.
The Waves will continue their homestand on Friday against Stephen F. Austin at Firestone Fieldhouse.
“Javon Cooley had a career-high 23 points with seven rebounds.
Cooley added three assists and two steals while not having a turnover in 35 minutes of action.
Danilo Dozic posted his second 20-plus point effort of the season with 21 points.
Dozic hit on four of seven looks from three-point range to pace the Waves from deep.
Styles Phipps recorded 14 points and 11 assists to go along with five rebounds.
It marks the second consecutive double-double for Phipps, with the first coming with points and rebounds.
Dozic’s four three-pointers and Phipps’ 11 assists each marked single-game highs from any Wave this season.
Yonatan Levy registered eight points, three rebounds and a pair of assists.
Luka Vudragovic tallied 10 points off the bench while knocking down a pair of triples.
Pavle Stosic put up six points, six rebounds and two blocks off the bench.
It marked Stosic’s second game with multiple blocks this season.
Stefan Cicic added four points and two boards.
The Waves assisted on 23 of 29 field goals.
Pepperdine’s 25 free throws made were a season-high and marked the fourth time in the past five seasons with 25 or more free throws made in a single game.
The Waves held the Privateers to 40.3-percent shooting for the game.
Pepperdine had just six turnovers for the game compared to 17 for New Orleans.”
According to program history, Pepperdine men’s basketball has participated in postseason play thirteen times, won twelve WCC Regular-Season Championships, three WCC Tournament Championships, produced nineteen All-Americans as well as nineteen NBA players—including maintaining at least one alum on an NBA roster for thirty-four straight seasons between 1976-2011.
