Who’s playing
Pepperdine Waves @ Santa Clara Broncos
Current record: Pepperdine 6-7, Santa Clara 8-5.
How to watch
What you need to know
Pepperdine enjoyed a five-game homestand, but they’ll have to dust off their road jerseys soon. They and the Santa Clara Broncos will meet in the Battle of the West Coast at Leavy Center on Saturday at 7pm ET. Please pay attention to the score of this match. Both had significant point totals in previous games.
Pepperdine will be coming into Saturday’s game with an upset. They lost by three points in their last matchup, but they didn’t allow that to happen Saturday against UC Davis. Pepperdine made it easy, winning 85-46 over UC Davis. Oddsmakers sided with the Waves, but the margin was unexpectedly large, so they couldn’t give the team enough credit.
Pepperdine won thanks to several key players, but Dovydas Butka led the way with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. The team was also helped by Jackson Olvera, who had 15 points and 3 steals on 6 hits for 8 at bats.
Pepperdine worked as a team and finished the game with 18 assists. UC Davis easily outscored their opponents in this department, as they only posted five points.
On the other hand, winning is always great, but winning by coming off a season-high score is even better (just ask Santa Clara). They defeated South Dakota State 98-81 on Saturday. Winning may never get old, but the Broncos are certainly getting used to winning after winning five straight.
Santa Clara’s victory was the result of some impressive offensive performances. Most notable was Adama Balu, who went 8-for-13 along the way with 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds. This is the most assists Val has recorded since January. Another player who made a difference was Johnny O’Neal, who finished with 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds on 5-for-8 at-bats.
Pepperdine has been on a roll lately, winning four of the past five contests and significantly improving on its 6-7 record this season. Santa Clara has won three straight games at home, improving their record to 8 wins and 5 losses.
Rebounding will likely be a big factor in this contest. Pepperdine has been on a roll this season, averaging 38 rebounds per game. However, it’s not like Santa Clara is struggling in that department as they are averaging 38.9 points per game. We’ll see if either team can gain the upper hand as both teams fight to recover missed shots.
Pepperdine suffered a heartbreaking 94-71 loss to Santa Clara in January when the teams last met. Will Pepperdine be able to avenge their defeat, or is history destined to repeat itself? We’ll soon find out.
Series history
Santa Clara has won six of its last 10 games against Pepperdine.
January 25, 2024 – Santa Clara 94 vs. Pepperdine 71 January 6, 2024 – Santa Clara 78 vs. Pepperdine 72 February 23, 2023 – Santa Clara 91 vs. Pepperdine 82 January 5, 2023 – Santa Clara 89 vs. Pepperdine 79 February 24, 2022 – Santa Clara 89 vs. Pepperdine 73 March 6, 2021 – Pepperdine 78 vs. Santa Clara 70 February 20, 2021 – Santa Clara 86 vs. Pepperdine 82 March 6, 2020 – Pepperdine 84 vs. Santa Clara 73 February 2020 6th – Pepperdine 91 vs. Santa Clara 77 January 23, 2020 – Pepperdine 90 vs. Santa Clara 86
