WCC Game Recap: Pepperdine defeats Santa Clara

Feb. 20, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward

(44) get the rebound against Gonzaga Bulldogs center

(24) during the second half at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs beat the Broncos by a final score of 85-42. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The Pepperdine Waves kept their hot streak going as they defeated the Santa Clara Broncos 70-61 and are now 3-0 in WCC play. Brendan Lane led the Waves with 26 points and 17 rebounds, just dominating Santa Clara’s big men.   Jeremy Major had a solid all-around game with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists (only 3 turnovers). Malcolm Brooks kept his hot shooting going, scoring 11 points on 3/4 beyond the arc.

Not to anyone’s surprise, Santa Clara was led in scoring by their 3 starting guards. Jared Brownridge scored 18 points and dished out 6 assists, Brandon Clark had an in efficient 16 points on 17 shot attempts, and Evan Roquemore scored 13 points to round out the Bronco double figure scorers.

The game was tight throughout, and the Waves led by only 2 points with under 2 minutes left until Amadi Udenyi hit a clutch three to put Pepperdine up 66-61 with 1:43 left in the game.  The Waves made their free throws from there on and were able to come up with a 9 point victory.

KEYS TO THE GAME REVISITED

Pepperdine

✓ – More Brooks: The reigning WCC Player of the Week had a solid game and efficient game.  While tonight was about Brendan Lane, Brooks did a nice job filling in as a role player.  His perimeter shooting opens up the interior for Lane, who really benefited from that tonight.

Santa Clara

X – Get something from the front court on offense: Santa Clara’s five forwards/centers combined for 10 points on 3/13 shooting.  John McArthur scored 5 points and Jerry Brown only scored 4.  The guards are going to get worn down eventually because they are doing everything on offense.  Every team will lay off the Bronco big men and double team the guards until the big men can show that they are an offensive threat.

MOVING FORWARD

Pepperdine has proven that they are one of the top teams in the West Coast Conference.  They beat Santa Clara on the road despite a pretty bad game from their best player, Stacy Davis.  Brooks, Major, and Lane carried the load and carried the Waves to victory.  It is quite a luxury to have 4 very talented offensive players.

For Santa Clara, its pretty simple.  Their guards need to be more efficient, but they only way that can happen is if the bigs step up so that the guards are not receiving so much attention from opposing defenses.  If that ever happens from Jerry Brown or John McArthur, the Broncos have a chance to win some games in the WCC.