Pepperdine women’s basketball secured a 65-45 victory over Fresno State on Saturday in Fresno, marking the program’s first-ever road win against the Bulldogs. The win improves Pepperdine’s record to 6-2, its best start to a season in 19 years.
Head coach Katie Faulkner commented on the team’s progress: “This group is growing in real time. In every game, you can feel us take another step. We moved the ball, we rebounded together, and we defended with pride. Holding Fresno State to 45 points says a lot about our commitment to each other and what we are building.”
Pepperdine led for nearly the entire game, holding Fresno State to its lowest point total since January 28. The Waves’ defense limited the Bulldogs to just one three-point basket and held a decisive advantage on rebounds, collecting 49 compared to Fresno State’s 28.
Shorna Preston recorded her second double-double of the week with 16 points and was instrumental in both scoring and rebounding. Lina Falk contributed by shooting over 70 percent for the second consecutive game, while Seleh Harmon added key baskets throughout.
The Waves started strong with an early lead after a 7-2 run and finished the first quarter ahead 19-10 following a late surge. Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter but Pepperdine maintained control at halftime with a nine-point lead.
In the third quarter, Harmon led Pepperdine with nine points while Taija Sta. Maria posted a team-best plus-minus rating of +9 for that period. The Waves shot .500 from the field during those ten minutes.
Pepperdine closed out the game by scoring their highest quarterly total—20 points—in the final frame as Preston secured her double-double late in play.
Other notable statistics included Pepperdine’s bench outscoring Fresno State’s reserves by a margin of 22-6 and forcing their opponent into one of its lowest three-point outputs this season.
With this win, Pepperdine matches its strongest start since the 2006-07 campaign and achieves its first road victory against Fresno State after six trips to Save Mart Center.
The Waves will remain at home for nearly two weeks before facing CSU Los Angeles next Saturday in Malibu. That matchup is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff and will be streamed live on ESPN+; additional coverage can be found at pepperdinewaves.com.
According to program history, Pepperdine women’s basketball has made four NCAA postseason appearances and won multiple conference titles across regular-season play and tournaments.
