Pepperdine University’s men’s basketball team lost a close game to Pacific, 74-69, on Sunday afternoon at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, California. The Waves now hold a record of 5-12 overall and 0-4 in West Coast Conference (WCC) play, while Pacific improved to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in conference.
The contest was tight throughout, with Pepperdine trailing by double digits in the second half before narrowing the gap to one possession in the final minute. However, Pacific managed key defensive stops late to secure their seventh consecutive home win this season.
Javon Cooley led Pepperdine with 18 points and seven rebounds. Styles Phipps contributed 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Danilo Dozic and Aaron Clark each added 12 points for the Waves. These four players accounted for most of Pepperdine’s scoring output.
Pepperdine forced 13 turnovers from Pacific in the first half but saw the Tigers limit mistakes after halftime. “I’m proud of our guy’s fight and competitiveness,” said head coach Ed Schilling following the game. “We were in a position to possibly tie the game in the final nine seconds and had a tough break that didn’t go our way. We need to continue to improve and learn from these types of games in order to win on the road.”
The opening half featured 13 lead changes as both teams found success offensively early on. Nine different Pepperdine players scored during that stretch, with David Mager’s layup and Yonatan Levy’s three-point play helping give Pepperdine its largest lead at four points.
Despite leading late in the first half, Pepperdine went into halftime down by four after an eight-to-one run by Pacific capped off with an Elias Ralph three-pointer at the buzzer.
Pacific built its biggest lead at eleven points midway through the second half before Pepperdine responded with consecutive scores, including an and-one from Dozic that brought them within four points. A late push by Cooley kept things close—he hit all three free throws after being fouled on a shot from behind the arc—but Pacific answered with offensive rebounds and free throws down the stretch.
In total, Pepperdine shot nearly perfectly from the free throw line (14-for-15), but was outrebounded by Pacific 35-24. The Waves’ bench contributed 21 points compared to Pacific’s 17.
With this result, Pacific remains undefeated at home this season (7-0). Elias Ralph led all scorers for Pacific with 22 points and ten rebounds.
Pepperdine will next play San Diego on Thursday at Jenny Craig Pavilion; tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
Pepperdine men’s basketball has a history that includes thirteen NCAA postseason appearances, twelve WCC Regular-Season Championships, three WCC Tournament Championships, nineteen All-Americans, and nineteen NBA players over several decades. The program last won a national postseason tournament at the CBI in 2021.
For information about tickets for upcoming home games or updates about Pepperdine men’s basketball news via social media (@PepperdineMBB), fans are encouraged to visit official sources online.
