Darren Cooper and Pooh Jeter combine for 42 points for the Pilots

MALIBU, Calif. -- The University of Portland men’s basketball team defeated Pepperdine University 81-76 Saturday evening at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Pilots (9-16, 3-8 West Coast Conference) earned a season sweep over the Waves (7-16, 3-8 WCC) with the victory and ended a six-game losing streak. Pepperdine dropped its fourth consecutive decision with the loss.

Portland senior guard Darren Cooper scored a game-high 24 points and backcourt mate Pooh Jeter added 18 points, nine assists and five rebounds. The guard duo averaged 31.9 points per game entering the contest, tops in the WCC.

Pepperdine guard Chase Griffin scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Waves, who were without leading scorer Michael Gerrity (stress fracture).

After trailing almost the entire first half, by as much as 14 points, Portland took a 45-43 lead at the break on a 65-foot buzzer beater by Jeter. The Pilots carried the momentum into the second half and increased the advantage to as much as nine points on several occasions.

“This was a good win,” Portland coach Michael Holton said. “Pepperdine had a lot of early energy and we were able to withstand their barrage. I was proud that we kept our composure and that everyone contributed.”

A 14-7 run out of halftime was capped by a Donald Wilson jumper to give Portland a 59-50 lead with 14:47 remaining. A three-point play by Waves’ guard Tashaan Forehan-Kelly made it 63-59, but Cooper answered with a three pointer and two free throws to push the margin back to nine.

The deficit was cut to 70-68 on a jumper by Greg Barlow with 6:26 left, but Cooper again responded with a trey and Jeter followed shortly after with another three as the Pilots cruised to the road victory.

Portland gained a 38-37 edge in rebounding and was able to shift the momentum by getting good looks in the open court.

“We scored 51 second-half points against Gonzaga on Monday and carried that energy into tonight. We figured that by us pushing the tempo and getting up more shots we have the best chance to be successful.”

The Pilots shot 52 percent from the field and held Pepperdine to 45 percent, including 11 of 31 shooting in the second half.

Portland will next play at Loyola Marymount on Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The game can be heard on 1550 KKAD-AM or via the web at portlandpilots.com