Pepperdine Basketball: Waves Secure Thrilling Comeback Victory Over LMU
Firestone Fieldhouse – The Pepperdine Waves men’s basketball team delivered a heart-stopping performance on February 14th, securing a nail-biting 90-89 victory over Loyola Marymount University (LMU). A late-game dunk by freshman center Stefan Cicic proved to be the decisive moment in this back-and-forth West Coast Conference matchup.
The Waves, who had been searching for a spark since their January win against the University of Portland, found renewed momentum with this crucial victory. “I saw the ball come off the rim, and I just went in there and slammed it,” Cicic exclaimed, reliving the game-winning play.
A Frantic First Half
The game began at a blistering pace, with LMU establishing an early lead through aggressive inside scoring and accurate three-point shooting. The Lions built a lead, capitalizing on Pepperdine turnovers to go up 23-20. However, the Waves responded with strong performances from redshirt sophomore guard Aaron Clark, who contributed 12 points in the opening minutes, and Cicic’s imposing presence in the paint. Despite their efforts, LMU maintained a narrow advantage, ending the first half leading 56-54.
“Going into the second half we just stay locked in on the defensive end,” Clark explained. “They kept scoring. It was a high scoring game. So we kind of knew we had to get a stop. So going into the second half, it was all about stops, for sure.”
Second Half Battle and a Dramatic Finish
The second half saw the Waves facing an uphill battle, compounded by foul trouble. Pepperdine struggled with shooting efficiency, connecting on less than 40% of their attempts, while LMU continued to capitalize on turnovers. The Lions extended their lead to as much as seven points, 85-78, with under five minutes remaining, forcing a Pepperdine timeout.
“In the timeout we talked about how we need to stay together, get the next stop,” Clark said. “We need one more stop. So that kind of was gonna seal it after we got there.”
Emerging from the timeout, Clark ignited the comeback with a clutch three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 85-81. A subsequent missed jumper by LMU allowed Clark to drive for a layup, bringing the Waves within two, 85-83. LMU responded with two free throws, extending their lead to 89-88 with under two minutes to play.
After a crucial timeout, Clark drove aggressively but missed the layup. Cicic was there to seize the opportunity, securing the rebound and completing a powerful putback dunk, giving Pepperdine a 90-89 lead. The crowd erupted as the Waves’ defense held strong in the final seconds, securing the thrilling victory.
“I was expecting him to make the layup in the moment, but, like coaches always tell me, just cut the best look for offensive backs,” Cicic said.
Looking Ahead
Pepperdine’s next challenge comes against Portland on February 18th at the Chiles Center. The Waves previously defeated the Pilots 86-73 earlier this season at home. This victory over LMU provides a significant boost in confidence as they continue their pursuit of success in the West Coast Conference.
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Contact Grace Boktor by email: grace.boktor@pepperdine.edu
