Pepperdine Wins Holiday Tournament

Brandon Armstrong scored 29 points, including seven in overtime, to lead Pepperdine to a 78-76 victory over Ohio in the championship of the ASU Holiday Classic on Saturday night at Tempe, Ariz.

Armstrong made two baskets and three free throws in overtime as Pepperdine outscored Ohio, 9-7.

A desperation three-point attempt by Ohio’s Jon Sanderson fell short at the buzzer.

Kelvin Gibbs added 22 points for Pepperdine (8-5). Steve Esterkamp scored 22, Brandon Hunter had 16 and Anthony Jones put in 16 to lead Ohio (5-5).

The score was tied, 30-30, with 4:30 left in the first half before Pepperdine went on a 10-5 run to lead 40-35 at intermission. Gibbs scored 14 of his points in the first half. Ohio was led in the half by Esterkamp with 15.

After Ohio had taken the lead midway through the second half, a three-pointer by Armstrong put Pepperdine up, 69-67, with 2:11 left.

Jones tied the score with two free throws with 34 seconds left before Armstrong missed a three-point shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.