Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. – The Portland Pilots led a majority of the night, but the Pepperdine Waves finished strong for a 67-63 West Coast Conference victory Saturday night at Firestone Fieldhouse. Senior guard Kevin Bailey came off the bench to score a game-high 28 points for the Pilots.

The game featured eight ties and 13 lead changes as neither team led by more than six points.

The Pilots (11-8, 2-5 WCC) led by as much five points midway through the second period and a pair of Bailey free throws gave Portland a 52-50 lead with 5:22 left. Pepperdine used an 8-1 run highlighted by a Jett Raines three-pointer to grab a 58-53 edge.

Portland battled back to make it interesting to the final buzzer, but the Waves (12-6, 5-2) made 9-of-12 free throws in the closing minutes to secure the win.

The Pilots went with a different lineup to start the game, inserting freshmen Jason Todd and Gabe Taylor for their first career starts. Both players responded as Taylor finished with six points and seven rebounds, while Todd added nine points.

Bailey and fellow senior Thomas van der Mars came off the bench and had quality production. Bailey was 9-of-15 from the field for the game, while van der Mars added nine points and 12 rebounds.

Pepperdine had a balanced attack with five players reaching double figures led by Shawn Olden's 15. Jeremy Major and Jett Raines added 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Portland shot 42 percent from the field, while Pepperdine finished at 39 percent overall. The Pilots also outrebounded the Waves by a 36-32 margin, but Pepperdine had a 20-12 margin in points off of turnovers.

The Pilots led 32-31 at the half as Bailey had 15 points before the break.

Portland will return home to the Chiles Center next week hosting Pacific on Thursday at 7 p.m. and then Saint Mary's on Saturday at 7 p.m.