MALIBU, Calif. – Portland led a majority of the second half but went cold late as the Pepperdine Waves pulled out a 67-63 win Wednesday in West Coast Conference basketball action at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Cameron Williams led the Pilots (9-11, 2-5 WCC) with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Joel Foxwell added 10 points and 10 assists.
Portland led by four with a little more than four minutes remaining in regulation but then went scoreless until Mikah Ballew hit a three-pointer with 38 seconds left. Pepperdine took advantage by going on a 10-0 run to take control.
The Waves made it interesting by making just 1-of-6 free throws – including two missed front end 1-and-1's – in the final two minutes, but the Pilots weren't able to capitalize.
Portland's road shooting woes continued as they finished the game at 38 percent overall and just 7-for-33 from three-point range.
Aaron Clark and Styles Phipps paced the Waves (6-14, 1-6) with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
How it Happened
Portland got off to a sluggish start with nine first half turnovers but was able to keep the game close. A desperation three-pointer at the buzzer by Foxwell tied the score at 32-32 entering halftime. Foxwell dished out six first half assists.
The Pilots quickly took the lead after a pair of three-pointers by Ballew made it 40-38 early in the second period. Portland didn't trail until 2:50 remaining in regulation when Phipps made a layup during the 10-0 run by the Waves.
Game Notes
» Cameron Williams recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
» Joel Foxwell notched his fourth double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.
» Foxwell has now recorded 10 or more assists in six games.
» The Portland bench made an impact by scoring 21 points to its scoring output.
» Freshman Dante Censori-Hercules played 27 minutes off the bench and finished with four points, six rebounds and four assists.
» Redshirt freshman NaVaughn Long played a season high eight minutes in the second half.
» Portland lost despite a 38-36 rebounding advantage.
» The Portland defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Portland cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
Up Next
The Pilots will remain in Southern California to take on the Loyola Marymount Lions on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
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