The second-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs proved to be too tough a test for the Pepperdine men’s basketball team, as the Zags posted a 92-64 win in West Coast Conference play on Thursday evening. With the victory, the Bulldogs (26-2, 13-0) have now won 17 straight games, and have clinched at least a share of the conference’s regular-season title.
Gonzaga was led by Rui Hachimura's 23 points, 21 of which came in the first half. The Bulldogs also received 21 points from Zach Norvell Jr., and 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks from Brandon Clarke. The Bulldogs shot 62 percent while holding the Waves to just 38 percent shooting.
Pepperdine senior forward Darnell Dunn had his best output in a WCC game this season, scoring a team-high 16 points, while grabbing a team-best seven rebounds.
After an early 7-2 start by Pepperdine, the Bulldogs scored the next nine points, and took their first double-digit lead at 21-11. Gonzaga eventually went into halftime with a 53-33 lead.
The Waves had a brilliant four-minute stretch in the second half when they put together a 21-3 run. Six different Waves scored during the spurt, led by seven by Dunn and five by freshman center Victor Ohia Obioha, cutting the Bulldogs' lead to 71-56 with nine minutes remaining.
The Bulldogs responded with the next six points, however, and the Waves would get no closer.
Pepperdine junior forward Kameron Edwards, the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder, missed his 13th game of the season. He injured his left foot at the end of the February 9 San Diego game and is out indefinitely.
The Waves dropped to 12-16 with the loss. The Waves return home to host Portland on Saturday at 5 p.m.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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