Gonzaga Puts on a Show in Win Over Pepperdine

Gonzaga missed only four shots in the second half, shot 66.7% for the game and ran away from Pepperdine, 93-79, Friday night, overcoming 32 points by Brandon Armstrong and the most raucous crowd in memory at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

“I told my guys to look at the crowd and use their energy to our benefit,” Gonzaga Coach Mark Few said. “I told them that those people are here to see you. Put on a show.”

They did by putting the ball in the basket.

Gonzaga, 15-5 overall and 7-0 in WCC play, made 16 of 20 shots in the second half and 30 of 45 in the game. The Bulldogs made eight of 12 three-point shots and 25 of 31 free throws.

Gonzaga is the best shooting team in the WCC at 50.2%, but this was another level of marksmanship. Forward Casey Calvary, who scored 21 points on eight-of-10 shooting, said that Pepperdine’s in-your-face defense created opportunities.

“They play high-risk defense, which gave us easy shots as long as we attacked the basket and made smart passes,” Calvary said.

Pepperdine (14-6, 6-1) forced 19 turnovers, but allowed numerous dunks and layups. And the Waves committed 26 fouls, most coming early in each half. In the decisive final seven minutes, they were forced to temper their aggressiveness because so many players were in foul trouble.

Three starters--Armstrong, Derrick Anderson and Craig Lewis--fouled out and the other two--Kelvin Gibbs and Boomer Brazzle--had four fouls.

“We really couldn’t play hard on defense and they knew it and took it to us,” said Gibbs, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

A basket by Armstrong, who scored 24 in the second half, pulled Pepperdine to within 71-69 with 6:30 to play, but Gonzaga scored five a row and 14 of the next 16 to lead, 83-72, with three minutes left.

Much of the damage was done by reserves Alex Hernandez, Germayne Forbes and Anthony Reason, who combined for 32 points.

“We were a little tentative early, but Hernandez and Forbes came in and attacked the basket,” Few said. “The other guys saw that and started doing the same thing.”

Outside the WCC, Gonzaga has earned a reputation as a giant killer by advancing deep into the NCAA tournament the last two years. The Bulldogs won both the regular-season and conference tournament in 1999 and won the conference tournament last season.

Pepperdine took the regular-season title last year in Coach Jan van Breda Kolff’s first season. Gonzaga wants it back. Winning in front of 3,245 boisterous Pepperdine fans was a firm step in that direction.

This was only the Waves’ third home loss under Van Breda Kolff in 21 games, although often the stands are less than half full.

The players clearly appreciated the support. The normally expressionless Armstrong exhorted the crowd during player introductions and Pepperdine took the court with great intensity.

But when the Waves’ adrenaline ebbed, the Bulldog shooters flowed.

“Our crowd was big time,” Gibbs said. “They gave us a lot of energy, but I guess we couldn’t sustain it for 40 minutes.”

To even the score--and the standings--Pepperdine probably will have to win at Spokane, Wash., Feb. 17. It won’t be easy. Gonzaga has won 29 of its last 30 at home.

“We’ve done well on the road,” Van Breda Kolff said. “We have to go on the road and get a game back. That’s the position we are in.”