The BYU women’s basketball team faces the Pepperdine Waves in the Marriott Center on Saturday to finish off this week of West Coast Conference competition.
Pepperdine (4-9) has split the two WCC games that they have played so far. They are fresh off a win at home against San Francisco, winning by a score of 71-67. Their top performer was senior Kelsey Patrick, who scored 16 points and had three steals.
“Pepperdine will pressure us,” said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. “Our inside presence should dominate to be successful.”
Junior Jennifer Hamson will play a big role in this game. Her 6’7’’ presence will be beneficial to the Cougars. Hamson is averaging 13.5 points and 8 rebounds per game this season. Pepperdine’s tallest player is junior Erica Chandler at 6’4’’, who will have a difficult task stopping Hamson in the paint.
BYU improved to 11-4 after winning an overtime thriller 57-53 against San Diego on Thursday night. Junior Stephanie Seaborn had a career night in San Diego coming off the bench and scoring 16 points.
When asked how the team is preparing for Pepperdine, Seaborn said, “Just coming every day, being focused and working on the things we need to. We learn so much when games are close together.”
Pepperdine and BYU have played five times. BYU leads the series 3-2. Last season, BYU beat the Waves in Provo, but lost in Malibu, Calif., by 12 points, 49-61.
Tip-off for BYU and Pepperdine is at 2:00 p.m. MST in the Marriott Center on Saturday. This game is being marketed as a Ward Night, meaning that your ward can come for $15. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Marriott Center ticket office.