Pepperdine University’s women’s basketball team lost in overtime to North Dakota State University, 82-80, on Monday at Firestone Fieldhouse. The defeat brings Pepperdine’s season record to 7-3, while North Dakota State improves to 9-2.
Head coach Katie Faulkner commented on the outcome: “We had a lot of chances to win that game, and then there’s a lot of things we can grow from that are the reason we didn’t win tonight. But what I know about us is that we will get better.”
Pepperdine shot 50.8 percent from the field, significantly higher than NDSU’s 38.8 percent. However, North Dakota State had a major advantage at the free throw line, with 34 attempts compared to Pepperdine’s 12.
North Dakota State started strong with a 7-2 run early in the first quarter. Lina Falk responded with Pepperdine’s first three-pointer, but the Waves trailed after one quarter. Bella Green led her team with six points in the opening period.
The Bison built their largest lead at 29-17 midway through the second quarter. Meghan Fiso began her career-high scoring night during this stretch, helping keep Pepperdine within reach along with contributions from Seleh Harmon and Green. At halftime, both teams had identical shooting percentages from the field, but NDSU converted all nine of its free throws while Pepperdine did not attempt any.
In the third quarter, Pepperdine went on a 13-2 run and took its first lead of the afternoon. Taija Sta. Maria and Elli Guiney were key contributors during this period as the Waves finished the quarter ahead by four points.
The fourth quarter remained competitive, with neither side able to pull away decisively. Harmon extended Pepperdine’s lead early in the period before NDSU closed the gap through free throws and offensive rebounds. The game was tied at 70 after regulation time.
During overtime, Pepperdine never managed to take the lead and fell behind by as many as five points before two late layups by Guiney brought them close in the final seconds. The Waves were unable to score again before time expired.
This matchup marked the first meeting between Pepperdine and North Dakota State in women’s basketball history.
Meghan Fiso scored a career-high 17 points for Pepperdine and shared top scoring honors with Elli Guiney. Lina Falk added a season-high 14 points. Fiso and Shorna Preston led defensively with seven rebounds each.
Pepperdine’s shooting percentage was its best since its opening game against CSU Fullerton earlier this season. The team made five three-pointers—its second-lowest total of the year—and was outrebounded for only the second time this season (34-39). The Waves also allowed their highest number of opponent free throw attempts so far this year.
Pepperdine will play South Dakota next on Tuesday evening at home; coverage will be available via ESPN+ and live stats on pepperdinewaves.com.
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